This incident, the 11th bridge collapse in the state within the past three years, has prompted investigations and calls for stricter measures to ensure the integrity of infrastructure projects.
An under-construction bridge over the Mechi River on NH-327E, between Galgaliya and Araria, collapsed, raising serious questions about the quality of construction in Bihar. This incident marks the 11th bridge collapse within the state over the past three years, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures and rigorous inspections.
Following the collapse, an expert team has been dispatched to the site to investigate the incident. The project director of NHAI, Bihar, Abdhesh Kumar, assured the public that stringent action will be taken based on the team's report. Kumar emphasized that the bridge was still under construction and devoid of any traffic at the time of the collapse.
The ill-fated bridge formed a vital component of the widening project on NH-327E, connecting Galgaliya to Araria at a cost of 1500 crores, spearheaded by G R Infra projects. The project aimed to reduce the distance between Araria in Bihar and Siliguri in West Bengal by approximately 80 kilometers. This alternative route to NH-57 would have facilitated smoother travel for residents of Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Kishanganj, and Araria, according to Hindustan Times.
The collapse occurred at Gorichak, where a 100-meter span of the bridge succumbed, casting doubts on the construction's integrity. Even without any significant rise in the river's water level, the incident suggests potential irregularities in the quality of construction, raising concerns among locals and commuters.
Expressing their apprehensions, locals stressed that the situation could have turned into a catastrophic accident had traffic been present on the bridge during the collapse. Consequently, residents are calling for a thorough investigation into all ongoing bridge projects along the 94-kilometer stretch where road widening is underway.
The recent bridge collapse adds to a growing list of similar incidents in 2023. On May 16, an under-construction bridge over the Dumuhni River in Bihar's Purnia district collapsed just hours after concretization work, heightening worries about construction practices. Additionally, on March 19, 2023, a bridge over the Mahanadi River in Saran district gave way, resulting in injuries to the driver and cleaner of a stone-laden chip truck crossing the bridge.