The collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur, Bihar has triggered a heated exchange between the state government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Bihar government asserted that the bridge had “serious defects” and sections were intentionally destroyed in a planned manner after the structure came crashing down on Sunday evening.
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav stated in a press conference, “It may be recalled that a portion of this bridge had collapsed on April 30 last year. We had subsequently approached IIT-Roorkee, known for its expertise in construction matters, to conduct a study. Although the final report is yet to be released, experts who examined the structure informed us of serious defects.”
During the press conference, a government official explained that they decided not to take any risks and proceeded with demolishing parts of the bridge.
The estimated cost of the bridge was around ₹1,700 crore. The government has initiated an inquiry into the incident and emphasized the need for strict action against those responsible for the collapse.
Tejashwi Yadav highlighted that “many structural defects have been pointed out by experts, and we have already demolished several sections that were identified as particularly vulnerable. Today’s incident confirms our worst fears.”
A guard who was working near the bridge has been reported missing, and rescue teams are currently searching for him.
Chandan Kumar, Circle Officer in Parbatta, Bihar, stated, “After the bridge collapse, a person working as a guard with SP Singla Company is said to be missing. His body has not been recovered yet. SDRF and NDRF teams are conducting a search to locate him.”
Meanwhile, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had severed ties with the BJP in August of the previous year.
Another BJP leader, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, a former Bhagalpur MP, released a statement attributing the mishap to “corruption” and demanding a “high-level inquiry” into the incident.
The collapse of the under-construction bridge has raised concerns about the quality of infrastructure projects and the role of corruption in their execution. The government’s acknowledgment of structural defects and the ongoing inquiry reflect the need for transparency, accountability, and a thorough investigation to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
Both the ruling party and the opposition should prioritize public safety and work together to address the issues at hand. It is crucial to implement strict protocols and quality control measures during the construction of critical infrastructure projects to safeguard the lives of citizens and restore faith in the government’s ability to deliver safe and reliable infrastructure.
