Bihar Bridges Collapse: The series of collapse and subsidence of under-construction bridges in Bihar continues. In the last 12 days, 6 bridges have collapsed, in which these incidents have happened in Araria, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Siwan, and East Champaran. Due to these accidents happening every day, questions are being raised on the construction and repair work. Action is being demanded against the contractor. Investigations are also going on in many cases.
The first bridge collapsed in Araria on June 18
First of all, on June 18, an under-construction bridge on the Bakra river in Sikti, Araria collapsed. This bridge is being built to connect Sikti and Kursakanta. 3 pillars of this bridge collapsed in the river. Local officials say that due to the increase in the water level of the Bakra river due to rain, the bridge could not bear the pressure and collapsed. The construction of this bridge on the Bakra river started in 2011 at a cost of about 13 crores.
The responsibility of building the bridge was with Bihar Bridge Corporation. The bridge is about 180 meters long. After the bridge collapsed on June 18, a 5-member team of the Rural Works Department visited the site. Local villagers say that substandard material was used in the construction of the bridge. Due to this, the bridge collapsed.
On June 22, another bridge collapsed in Siwan
On June 22, a bridge collapsed in Siwan. This bridge was about 33 years old. This bridge was built on a canal connecting the villages of Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks. Local officials said that the bridge collapsed because the pillars of the bridge collapsed when water was released from the canal. This was a 20 feet long bridge. The bridge was built from MLA funds. According to local people, the bridge had become weak due to soil cutting during the cleaning of the canal and repair work was not done on time.
The third bridge collapsed in Motihari on June 23
On June 23, an under-construction bridge collapsed in Ghodasahan, Motihari. This bridge is being built at a cost of about Rs 2 crore. The length of the bridge is about 80 feet. The tender for bridge construction was given to Dhirendra Construction Private Limited.
The construction of the bridge is the responsibility of the Rural Works Department under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. According to the information, the bridge was cast on 22 June and it collapsed the next day. It is alleged that the iron rods were not installed as per the standard. Also, poor quality cement was being used.
The fourth bridge collapsed in Kishanganj on June 26
After this, on 26 June, the bridge on the Maria River in Kishanganj collapsed. This bridge was built with bricks in 2010 under the Chief Minister’s Bridge Scheme. The local officials are arguing that this bridge collapsed due to heavy rains near Guabari in Bahadurganj. The bridge could not bear the pressure of the fast flow of water and out of its seven pillars, the two middle pillars collapsed by two feet while one pillar collapsed by one foot. This 70 meter long and 12 meter wide bridge was built at a cost of about 25 lakh rupees.
This bridge built on Maria river near Bansbadi Shravan Chowk of Guabadi Panchayat connects Dighalbank block to NH 327 E via Bahadurganj. After the accident, a team of Rural Works Department inspected the site. Local villagers allege that this bridge was in a dilapidated condition for the last 2 years. Despite continuous complaints, it was not repaired.
Fifth incident in Madhubani, bridge girder fell
On 28 June, a girder of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Madhubani. The bridge has been under construction for the last 4 years. A bridge is being constructed on the Bhutahi Balan river near Lalwarhi on the main road from Bheja Kosi Dam Chowk to Mahapatiya. The girder was cast on 26 June. The length of the bridge is about 75 meters. It is being told that shuttering was made for the girder. The girder fell due to the shuttering getting washed away in the water due to the arrival of water in the Bhutahi Balan river.
The bridge is being constructed at a cost of about Rs 3 crore. The Rural Development Department is responsible for this bridge. Villagers say that the construction of this bridge has been going on for 4 years but it has not been completed yet. People are also accusing irregularities in the construction of the bridge.
The sixth bridge collapsed in Kishanganj on June 30
On June 30, another bridge collapsed in Kishanganj. Nearly 2 spans of this bridge built on the Bund river near Khosidangi village of Pathariya have collapsed. After heavy rains, the water level of the river increased due to which the pillar of the bridge built on the Bund river has sunk by about one foot. The bridge is 30 meters long and 10 meters wide. This bridge was constructed in the year 2008. The bridge was constructed at a cost of 50 lakhs. The bridge was built from the MP fund. It was built from the funds of the then RJD MP late Taslimuddin.
This bridge connects four panchayats. If the bridge collapses, about 60 thousand people will be affected. On the collapse of the bridge, the local villagers allege that the sand was being transported by overloaded vehicles, due to which the bridge became weak and collapsed. Also, sand was being illegally mined by the mining mafia near the bridge. It is under the Rural Works Department.
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