An under-construction bridge collapsed in East Champaran district of Bihar on Sunday, marking the third such incident reported in less than a week in the state.
The 16-metre-long bridge was being built over a cancel in Ghorasahan block in Motihari by the state’s Rural Works Department (RWD) to connect Amwa village to other areas of the block. The bridge was being constructed for Rs 1.5 crore.
No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident. However, the collapse has raised concerns about the quality of public infrastructure in Bihar, which has witnessed a series of bridge collapses in recent years.
The cause of the Collapse Under Investigation
The exact cause of the bridge collapse is yet to be determined, but officials have ordered a department inquiry to investigate the matter. According to the Additional Chief Security of the RWD, Dipak Kumar Singh, “The exact cause of the incident is not yet known. It is a serious matter and a department inquiry has been ordered. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty.”
District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said that preliminary reports suggest local objections to certain construction aspects of the bridge, which the police are currently investigating.
Third Collapse in a Week
This incident marks the third bridge collapse in Bihar in less than a week. On Saturday, a small bridge collapsed in the Siwan district, connecting the villages of Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks. Before that, on June 18, a newly constructed 180-meter-long bridge collapsed in the Araria district.
The state has been witnessing a series of bridge collapses, both large and small, constructed over rivers and other water bodies in recent years. While these incidents have not resulted in any casualties, they have raised questions about the quality of public works in the state.
A Concerning Trend
Bihar’s record of bridge collapses is particularly concerning. In March 2024, one laborer was killed and eight others injured when three slabs of an under-construction bridge over the Kosi River in Supaul collapsed. In June 2023, a 200-meter section of the Aguani (Khagaria)-Sultanganj (Bhagalpur) bridge over the River Ganga collapsed after three supporting pillars gave way.
In April 2022, the superstructure of an under-construction bridge in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, collapsed due to strong winds. The latest incident in Motihari was the sixth such incident reported in the last two years in Bihar.
Calls for Accountability and Improved Infrastructure
The spate of bridge collapse in Bihar has led to calls for accountability and improved infrastructure in the state. Experts have highlighted the need for stricter quality control measures, better supervision, and more rigorous inspections during the construction and maintenance of bridges.
“It is a serious matter and a department inquiry has been ordered. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” said Dipak Kumar Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the RWD. The district administration has also assured that a detailed report on the Motihari incident is forthcoming.
Conclusion
The collapse of the under-construction bridge in Motihari, Bihar, is the third such incident reported in the state in less than a week. This trend of bridge collapses, both large and small, has raised concerns about the quality of public infrastructure in the region.
While no casualties were reported in the latest incident, the authorities have ordered a departmental inquiry to investigate the cause of the collapse. The state government has also promised strict action against those found responsible.
As Bihar continues to grapple with this concerning issue, the authorities must take immediate steps to address the underlying problems and ensure the safety and reliability of the state’s bridges and other critical infrastructure. Improved quality control, better supervision, and more rigorous inspections during construction and maintenance will be key to preventing such incidents in the future.
