Bhagalpur, Bihar – In a shocking turn of events, an under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur collapsed within seconds, causing heated debates between the state government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The bridge, which was intended to be a four-lane structure, fell like a house of cards, raising concerns about the quality of infrastructure projects in the region. The incident has prompted the Bihar government to order an inquiry and take strict action against those responsible for the project.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, the bridge had been plagued with serious defects. In fact, a section of the same bridge had collapsed on April 30 last year, leading authorities to engage the expertise of IIT-Roorkee for a comprehensive study. Although the final report is still pending, preliminary findings suggested significant structural flaws. Faced with these findings, the government made the decision to dismantle vulnerable portions of the bridge to avoid any potential disaster.
However, amidst the chaos, a guard employed by SP Singla Company, who was working near the bridge, went missing following the collapse. Search and rescue operations led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are currently underway to locate the missing guard. The uncertainty surrounding his fate has heightened the sense of urgency and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The bridge, with an estimated cost of ₹1,700 crore, was a massive undertaking for the region. The collapse not only raises questions about the quality of construction but also sparks a political controversy. State BJP president Samrat Choudhary has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had severed ties with the BJP in August of the previous year. Choudhary attributed the mishap to corruption and called for a high-level inquiry into the incident. Former Bhagalpur MP and BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain echoed these sentiments, adding to the mounting pressure on the state government.
In response to the incident, the Bihar government has launched an inquiry and vowed to take strict action against those found responsible. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav expressed his concern, stating that the bridge collapse has confirmed the earlier apprehensions regarding structural defects highlighted by experts. The government’s primary focus is on the safety of its citizens and ensuring a thorough investigation to determine the root causes of the collapse.
The collapse of the under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur has raised significant concerns about the quality of infrastructure projects and the efficacy of oversight mechanisms in Bihar. As the search for the missing guard continues and the political blame game intensifies, it is essential that a comprehensive investigation be conducted to identify the factors contributing to the collapse. Transparency, accountability, and swift action are crucial to preventing similar tragedies in the future.
The Bihar government must address the concerns raised by experts and the opposition while ensuring that the inquiry is carried out objectively. The safety of the public and the integrity of infrastructure projects should be the utmost priority. It is through effective measures and responsible governance that the state can rebuild trust and ensure the successful completion of future development initiatives.
Sources by Agencies
