Bihar Bridges Collapse Amid Heavy Rains

Bihar experienced the collapse of three more bridges in Saran and Siwan districts amid heavy rains, marking the ninth incident in 15 days. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed immediate surveys of old bridges. Local authorities suggest poor construction and heavy rainfall as possible causes.

Bihar faced yet another infrastructure crisis as three more bridges collapsed on Wednesday in the rain-battered state, marking the ninth such incident within the past 15 days.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The bridges, aged between 30 to 80 years, caved in during the day across Saran and Siwan districts, officials confirmed.

Criticism poured in from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who claimed that four bridges had collapsed in a single day, accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputies of remaining silent.

In response, Kumar has ordered the Road Construction Department (RCD) and the Rural Works Department (RWD) to promptly conduct surveys of all old bridges in the state to identify those requiring immediate repairs.

Chaitanya Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of WRD, indicated that "certain portions of the bridges/causeways that caved in Siwan and Saran are very old and were likely not constructed following necessary parameters."

The first collapse occurred at around 5 a.m. over the Gandaki river in Deoria block of Siwan district, Deputy Development Commissioner Mukesh Kumar confirmed, adding that an investigation is underway.

Subsequent collapses were reported in Teghra block of Siwan and two more in Saran, according to District Magistrate Aman Samir. Local observers suggested that heavy rainfall in the past few days may have contributed to the collapses.

Over 10 such incidents have been reported across the state in the last 15 days, with districts like Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj affected. Nitish Kumar has asked department heads to enforce stringent action against any negligence.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)