In a distressing series of events, Bihar has witnessed the collapse of nine bridges within the past 15 days, prompting urgent action from the state government. On Wednesday, three more bridges fell—two in Siwan and one in Saran district—escalating concerns about the structural integrity of the state’s infrastructure.
The two bridges in Siwan district, both situated on the Gandaki rivulet in Maharajganj block, were constructed in 1982-83 and 1998, respectively. The bridge in Saran district, dating back to the colonial era, also collapsed on the same day. Fortunately, there was no traffic on these bridges at the time of their collapse, avoiding potential casualties.
These incidents come just a day after Bihar’s Rural Works Department Minister, Ashok Chaudhary, announced the formation of a three-member committee led by the Chief Engineer to investigate the causes behind the frequent bridge collapses. This committee aims to provide a detailed report on the structural failures and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.
In response to the alarming situation, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a review meeting with officials from the Road Construction Department and the Rural Works Department. During the meeting, CM Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining and regularly inspecting older bridges. He directed officials to gather comprehensive information about the condition of all existing bridges, conduct spot verifications, and take necessary steps for their proper upkeep.
“Ensure that quality is maintained in all under-construction bridges and that they are completed on time,” CM Kumar instructed. He stressed the urgency of addressing the infrastructure issues to prevent further collapses and ensure the safety of the public.
The recent incidents in Siwan occurred just 11 days after a portion of another bridge in the Darounda area collapsed on June 22. Similarly, the Saran district witnessed the fall of a small British-era bridge, locally known as a “puliya,” in Janata Bazaar block.
The spate of bridge collapses in Bihar highlights a critical need for thorough maintenance and stringent quality control in construction. As the investigation proceeds, the state government is focused on implementing robust measures to safeguard its infrastructure and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.