East Champaran Sees Another Bridge Fall, Adding to State’s Recent String of Collapses
In Short:
- Under-construction bridge in East Champaran collapses.
- Third bridge collapse in Bihar within a week.
- No reported injuries or casualties.
- Investigation launched to determine cause.
- Authorities promise strict action against those responsible.
Another under-construction bridge has collapsed in Bihar, marking the third such incident in just one week. This latest collapse occurred in the East Champaran district on Sunday. The 16-meter bridge was being built over a canal in Ghorasahan block, Motihari, by the state's Rural Works Department (RWD). Once completed, it was supposed to connect Amwa village to other parts of the block and had a budget of Rs 1.5 crore.
Local reports indicate that no one was injured or killed in the incident. Previously, a bridge in Siwan district collapsed on Saturday, and another newly constructed bridge was washed away in Araria district.
Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse, but a departmental inquiry has been ordered. Additional Chief Secretary of RWD, Dipak Kumar Singh, has promised strict action against those found responsible.
Saturday’s collapse in Siwan involved a small bridge over a canal connecting Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks. The bridge, built around 30 years ago, collapsed from one end, with no casualties reported. The collapse was attributed to the weakened brick wall and pillars after recent canal digging.
Earlier in the week, a newly constructed 180-meter bridge in Araria district collapsed before its inauguration. The bridge, built at a cost of Rs 12 crore, was nearly complete except for the approach roads.
In March, an under-construction bridge in Supaul district saw a couple of slabs collapse, causing fatal injuries to one laborer and severe injuries to eight others. Last June, a 200-meter stretch of the under-construction Aguani-Sultanganj bridge over the Ganga River washed away after three supporting pillars collapsed.