Recurring Bridge Collapses in Bihar Raise Alarm: Engineers and Contractors Blamed for Lapses
Patna, Bihar— A wave of bridge collapses in Bihar has triggered public outcry and accusations of negligence against engineers and contractors. Over the past 17 days, 12 bridges have collapsed across the state, prompting the Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Chaitanya Prasad, to address the growing concerns.
At an event in Patna, Prasad stated that the recent incidents could be attributed to lapses in care by engineers and a lack of diligence from contractors, particularly in recent de-siltation efforts. His comments came just hours after another bridge collapse was reported in the Saran district on Thursday, marking the twelfth such collapse within a little over a fortnight.
“Six bridges collapsed on the river Gandak in Siwan and Saran on July 3 and July 4. It appears that engineers didn’t exercise proper care, and contractors were not diligent either,” Prasad noted. He added that “engineers concerned seem at fault prima facie,” and that special flying squads have been dispatched to inspect the sites, with reports expected by Friday.
National Outcry and Political Reactions
The series of collapses has garnered national attention, with opposition parties calling for accountability from the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government. RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav took to Twitter to criticize the administration, saying, “Twelve bridges have collapsed in Bihar since June 18… Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are silent over these incidents. What happened to the claims of good governance and corruption-free government? These incidents show how rampant corruption is in every department of the state government.”
Government Response and Future Measures
In response to the rising concerns, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Chaudhary reported that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has instructed officials to survey all old bridges in the state and identify any that require immediate repairs. “The Chief Minister has also asked departments concerned to immediately prepare their respective maintenance policy for bridges or causeways in the state,” Chaudhary said, stressing that the state government has already ordered a probe into the incidents.
Prasad emphasized that most of the collapsed bridges were over 30 years old with shallow foundations that were susceptible to erosion during de-siltation. He assured that new bridges would be constructed, with costs imposed on contractors found guilty of negligence. Furthermore, all bridges surpassing 30 years of service will be inspected for faults, and necessary repairs will be promptly executed.
The Bigger Picture
Bridge collapses in Bihar have become increasingly frequent, raising questions about infrastructural integrity and governance. The issue underlines the urgent need for structural audits and a robust maintenance policy. While the government’s swift response and pledges for new constructions offer some reassurance, the broader implications on public safety and trust in state governance remain pressing concerns.
For more information, please visit Bihar Government’s official website.
