Madhya Pradesh HC orders immediate repair of Katni’s Choti Mahanadi bridge closed for four years

The High Court of Madhya Pradesh issued a strict order demanding the swift restoration of the Choti Mahanadi bridge in Katni, which has remained closed for the past four years. The court’s directive comes after prolonged inactivity on the bridge, which connects key parts of the city and has disrupted local traffic and commerce.

Authorities were instructed to submit a detailed repair plan and a timeline for completion within a short period, ensuring that the structure meets safety standards before reopening.

The court emphasized that any further delay would be unacceptable, urging the state’s public works department to mobilise resources and commence repairs immediately.

Local residents and businesses, who have been affected by the prolonged closure, welcomed the judicial intervention, hoping the bridge will be operational soon.

The order underscores the judiciary’s role in prompting timely infrastructure maintenance when administrative inertia threatens public convenience.