Location: Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
In a shocking incident, an under-construction four-lane bridge over the Ganga River in Bhagalpur district of Bihar collapsed for the second time, raising concerns about the quality and safety of the construction. The bridge, which was being built between Sultanganj in Bhagalpur and Aguwani in Khagaria district, had already faced delays and structural issues in the past. The collapse has prompted the state government to order a thorough investigation into the matter.
The bridge, estimated to cost ₹1,716 crore, was expected to be a crucial link between north and south Bihar. However, it has become a symbol of construction delays and questionable workmanship. Construction on the bridge began in 2014, with an initial deadline for completion set in 2019. Unfortunately, the deadline has been extended multiple times, and the project has suffered setbacks due to severe weather conditions.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that several workers were present on the bridge when it started collapsing. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported thus far. Nevertheless, the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place and the adherence to construction standards during the bridge’s construction.
This is not the first time the bridge has faced structural issues. Last year, the bridge’s structure collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. Despite the concerns raised at that time, no action was taken against the construction company. Instead, the government granted extensions to the deadline, allowing the company more time to complete the project.
Following the collapse, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar immediately contacted officials from the road construction department, instructing them to launch a thorough investigation into the incident. The chief minister emphasized the need to identify those responsible and take strict action against them.
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who holds the road construction department portfolio, later addressed the media, expressing the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability. He reassured the public that stringent action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence or misconduct in the bridge’s construction.
The collapse of the under-construction bridge has once again raised serious concerns about the infrastructure development in Bihar. It highlights the importance of strict adherence to construction standards, timely completion of projects, and ensuring the safety of workers and the public.
The investigation into this incident will play a crucial role in determining the causes behind the collapse and holding the responsible parties accountable. It is imperative that lessons are learned from this unfortunate incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to restore public confidence in infrastructure development projects in the state.
