Bhagalpur, Bihar – In the wake of the recent collapse of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur, the Bihar government has taken swift action by issuing a show cause notice to the construction company responsible for the project. The Haryana-based company, which was awarded the contract, has been given a 15-day deadline to respond, according to Pratyay Amrit, the Additional Chief Secretary for the road construction department.
The bridge, intended to link Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts over the river Ganges, was a significant undertaking with a budget exceeding ₹1,770 crore. Originally scheduled for completion in 2019, the project has faced numerous delays and setbacks. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone for the structure back in February 2014, marking it as a key development for the region.
Following the bridge collapse, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav asserted that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and action would be taken against the contractors and engineers involved in the project. Yadav also emphasized the government’s commitment to reconstructing the bridge promptly, as it is considered a crucial initiative of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
It has come to light that concerns regarding pier number 5 of the bridge were previously raised by Yadav during his time in opposition. The matter was subsequently investigated by IIT Roorkee, and based on their reports, a decision was made to demolish the pier. This revelation has sparked further criticism and accusations, with Tej Pratap Yadav accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of demolishing the bridge, while asserting that their own efforts were focused on its construction.
In response to these developments, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Patna High Court, seeking an independent inquiry into the Bhagalpur bridge collapse. The petitioner, Manibhushan Pratap Sengar, has called for an investigation beyond the scope of a departmental inquiry. Sengar further demands accountability and the recovery of substantial financial losses incurred as a result of the bridge’s collapse, which are estimated to be in the thousands of crores.
Addressing the situation, Pratyaya Amrit, the Additional Chief Secretary for the Bihar Road Construction Department, assured the public that the investigation into the collapse would be completed expeditiously. Amrit revealed that a show cause notice has been served to SP Singla and Company, the construction firm involved, questioning why they should not be blacklisted. The company has been given 15 days to respond. Additionally, the Executive Engineer of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam posted at Khagaria has been suspended, and departmental proceedings have commenced. The Managing Director of Bihar Bridge Construction Corporation has also been issued a show cause notice to explain the delay in demolishing Pier 5. Plans for the construction of a new bridge are underway, with efforts being made to prioritize the project so that work can begin after the monsoon season.
As the investigation progresses, the Bihar government remains committed to ensuring the safety and timely completion of critical infrastructure projects. The collapse of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent quality control measures and adherence to established engineering standards to prevent such incidents in the future.
