Andhra’s ‘Temple Run’ Highway Stuns After Bhopal Bridge
First came Bhopal. The nearly-completed overbridge near Aishbagh Stadium, with its harsh right-angle curve, was widely mocked online. Critics, including the Congress party, questioned the safety of the Rs 18-crore project. While Madhya Pradesh’s PWD Minister called the criticism political, a review was promised.
Then came Andhra Pradesh. On Monday, Congress Kerala shared a Google Maps image of a strange, twisty stretch of State Highway 57. The bridge appears to include three abrupt turns within a short span, prompting netizens to nickname it the “Temple Run Highway.”
“Bhopal made a 90° flyover. Andhra: ‘Hold my chai.’” — Congress Kerala on X
Memes, Mayhem, and Mixed Reactions
The Andhra bridge quickly gained traction. Over 7 lakh users viewed the post within hours. Some compared it to Temple Run, the fast-paced mobile game. Others joked about Covid-era engineers or imagined the road flooded during monsoon.
One user asked the obvious question: “Why not curve it smoothly to the other side?” Engineers on Reddit claimed possible land acquisition hurdles or existing constructions may have influenced the design. Still, many weren’t convinced.
Political Punchlines
The timing of Congress’s Andhra post seemed strategic. It came while Bhopal’s flyover was trending, throwing shade at the BJP-led state government. Political satire, especially infrastructure-related, has become a new-age digital strategy for opposition parties to gain traction among younger voters.
No official comment has been made by Andhra Pradesh’s TDP-BJP alliance regarding the SH 57 bridge design yet. But given the buzz, a response may be imminent.
Infrastructure or Instagram?
India’s growing infrastructure often meets public scrutiny, especially when designs appear rushed or irrational. The rise of platforms like X (formerly Twitter) means netizens don’t just watch—they participate. From hashtags to humour, social media increasingly shapes the narrative.
While such public pressure can push accountability, experts warn it should not replace ground-level audits and engineering reviews.
What’s Next?
As the meme war between states continues, one thing is clear: bad bridge designs don’t go unnoticed anymore. Whether it’s a 90° turn in Bhopal or a rollercoaster in Andhra, citizens demand answers—and better roads.
Perhaps future flyovers will include a warning: “Not for the faint-hearted. Buckle up.”