Bridge Collapse in Patna Raises Concerns Over Construction Standards

An under-construction bridge in Bihar's Patna district collapsed without causing any injuries. The incident, part of a trend of bridge failures in the area, occurred during routine maintenance supervised by state officials. The bridge project, initiated in 2011, aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Bihar.

An under-construction bridge in Bihar's Patna district collapsed, an official reported on Monday. No injuries were recorded in the Sunday night incident.

This collapse is one among a series of such incidents in the region, raising questions over the structural integrity of these projects. The bridge, part of the Bakhtiyarpur-Tajpur Ganga Mahasetu project, was being monitored by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Ltd (BSRDCL). During the replacement of the bridge's girders, one of them fell.

Prabin Chandra Gupta, BSRDCL Chief General Manager, remarked that bearing replacements are routine, and no casualties have been reported. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initiated the construction in 2011, with an estimated project cost of Rs 1,602.74 crore. The bridge aims to link National Highway 28 in Samastipur and NH 31 in Patna, easing traffic on other major routes.

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the incident as a sign of deep-rooted corruption within the NDA government, questioning the systemic failures leading to these repeated structural collapses. The incident follows another recent bridge collapse over the Barnar river in Jamui.

(With inputs from agencies.)