In yet another alarming incident, Bihar witnessed its fourth bridge collapse within a span of a week, highlighting significant concerns over infrastructure safety in the state. The latest collapse occurred in Kishanganj district, involving a crucial 70-meter bridge over a tributary of the Kankai river, connecting Bahadurganj and Dighalbank blocks.
The bridge collapse, fortunately, occurred without any casualties, but it has severely disrupted connectivity between the two towns. According to officials, the collapse was triggered by a rise in the water level of the river, causing several pillars to sink due to the strong current. Cellphone videos circulated on social media depicted the bridge sagging dangerously close to the swiftly flowing river, prompting fears of further disintegration.
Upon receiving reports of the collapse, Bahadurganj police station chief Abhinav Parasar swiftly mobilized his team to barricade the area, halting vehicle movement to prevent any potential accidents. Local authorities and the Road Department have initiated investigations into the incident to ascertain the exact causes and evaluate the structural integrity of the bridge, which was reportedly constructed approximately six years ago.
District Magistrate Tushar Singla attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas, which led to a sudden surge in the river’s water level. He noted that one of the bridge’s pillars failed to withstand the increased hydraulic pressure, leading to its collapse. This incident comes amidst a series of similar occurrences across Bihar, including recent collapses in Siwan and Araria districts, underscoring concerns about the quality and durability of public infrastructure projects in the state.
Just days before this incident, an under-construction bridge over the Bakra river in Araria district collapsed prematurely, despite being built at considerable expense. The repeated occurrences of bridge collapses in Bihar have sparked public outcry and raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures and construction standards employed in public works projects.
As authorities continue their investigations into the Kishanganj bridge collapse, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust oversight and maintenance of infrastructure projects across Bihar. With infrastructure failures posing significant risks to public safety and economic activities, stakeholders are calling for stringent measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
Sources By Agencies