A bridge under construction in Bihar’s Madhubani region collapsed on Friday. This is the fifth bridge collapse in the state in the past nine days.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred in Madhepur Block of Bheja police station area in Madhubani district. The bridge, which is 75 meters long, has been under construction since 2021 and was being built by the Rural Works Department of the Bihar government at a cost of ₹3 crore.
Cause of the Collapse
As water levels rose, a 25-meter-long supporting pillar of the bridge crashed into the river below. Photos from the site showed the fallen pillars covered with large tarpaulin sheets.
Previous Incidents
There have been several similar incidents recently:
● A bridge collapsed in Kishanganj district on Thursday.
● An under-construction small bridge collapsed in East Champaran district on June 23.
● On June 22, a bridge over the Gandak Canal in Siwan collapsed.
● On June 19, a portion of an under-construction bridge in Araria fell apart. This bridge, built over the Bakra River, came apart in seconds despite being constructed at a significant cost.
Opposition Reaction
Tejashwi Yadav, the Opposition leader in the Bihar assembly, quickly highlighted the latest collapse and criticized the government.
Ongoing Concerns
The repeated incidents of bridge collapse in Bihar highlight significant issues with the state’s construction quality and project management. These incidents underscore the urgent need for improved oversight and stricter standards to ensure the safety and durability of infrastructure projects.
-Prisha Jaiswal