Bihar Bridge Disaster: Under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj Bridge Collapses in Bhagalpur

In Short: The under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bihar's Bhagalpur collapsed, causing concern and prompting an investigation. No casualties have been reported so far. The collapse has led to criticism of the government and raised questions about negligence during construction. This is the second collapse of the bridge, causing further delays. Authorities are analyzing the extent of the damage, and a high-level probe has been promised to determine accountability.

Patna, Bihar: In a shocking turn of events, the under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur, Bihar, suffered a devastating collapse on Sunday evening. The alarming incident, which occurred at approximately 6 pm, was captured on camera by local residents who were left horrified by the bridge's sudden failure.

The collapse has prompted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to initiate an immediate investigation into the matter, with a strong directive to identify those responsible for this catastrophic incident. As of now, no casualties have been reported. Local authorities are actively present at the site, coordinating efforts to assess the extent of the damage. The Pul Nirman Nigam has been requested to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.

Criticism and blame have been directed towards the government in the wake of this disaster. Vijay Kumar Sinha, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, took the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction, stating, "This incident is a consequence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's mentality of political instability, where administrative anarchy and corruption prevail. While the system collapses, they focus on opposition unity and neglect their responsibilities." Sinha's remarks shed light on the prevalent concerns regarding governance and accountability in the state.

The ill-fated Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge was envisioned as a crucial infrastructure project, aiming to connect Sultanagnj with Khagaria, Saharsa, Madhepura, and Supaul districts. The bridge's foundation, consisting of a 3,160-meter-long four-lane cable-stayed structure and an accompanying approach road, was laid by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on February 23, 2014. With an estimated cost of Rs 1,710 crore, it was anticipated to enhance connectivity and contribute to the region's development.

Following this recent collapse, authorities are closely examining the extent of the damage inflicted upon the bridge. Dhananjay Kumar, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Bhagalpur, confirmed, "We have received information regarding the collapse of a pillar and segment. The incident occurred in Parvatta. We have been in contact with the engineers involved in the construction process. Currently, there are no reports of casualties or property damage." The collapse has raised concerns about negligence during the construction phase, leading to demands for a thorough investigation and appropriate action against those found responsible.

Lalit Kumar Mandal, the MLA of Sultanganj, expressed his dismay, stating, "This incident is a major instance of negligence. We will conduct a high-level probe into the matter, and those accountable will face severe consequences." It is worth noting that a similar incident occurred on April 30 of the previous year, when a pillar towards Sultanganj collapsed. These successive collapses have significantly impeded the bridge's construction, further delaying its completion.

Bhagalpur District Magistrate Kumar Anurag acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, "The slab of the bridge between pillars nine and thirteen has collapsed. No further information regarding damage has been reported yet. The cause behind this collapse is currently under investigation." Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav recalled previous concerns over the bridge's design and emphasized the need for thorough inspections. Yadav revealed, "When the bridge initially collapsed, doubts were raised about the integrity of all segments. We even conducted a review meeting in this regard. Ultimately, we decided to demolish and reconstruct the bridge, as storm-related factors were blamed for the previous collapse according to IIT Roorkee."

As the investigation progresses, the collapse of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge stands as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent oversight and quality assurance in the construction of vital