Patna: A spate of bridge collapses across Bihar over the past two weeks, the state government has suspended 17 engineers, underscoring a critical infrastructure challenge facing the region. The incidents, spread across districts including Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj, have brought sharp criticism upon the ruling NDA coalition.
A notable collapse occurred recently over the Gandaki river in Saran, marking the tenth reported incident within a fortnight, although the government officially acknowledges nine. The suspensions primarily target officials from flood management, water discharge divisions, and the rural works department, attributed to severe negligence in bridge maintenance protocols. According to a statement released by the Bihar government, 11 engineers were directly implicated in lapses leading to collapses in Saran and Siwan. Investigations conducted by water resources department flying squads revealed inadequate precautionary measures and a lack of technical inspections, with contractors also held culpable for oversight. Further disciplinary actions include the suspension of four engineers from the rural works department, following an inquiry spearheaded by a chief engineer-level officer. Additionally, two engineers linked to the collapse in East Champaran’s Ghodasahan block have faced similar punitive measures.
The state’s public health and engineering department has announced the cancellation of tenders worth Rs 3,600 crore pertaining to piped drinking water projects initiated during the previous Grand Alliance regime. Official sources suggest that these cancellations aim to revise project specifications to enhance operational efficiency and extend coverage. The decision to revise these tenders reflects our commitment to optimizing infrastructure investments without compromising on quality or transparency,” stated a senior official from the public health department.
The developments in Bihar highlight pressing concerns over infrastructure governance and regulatory oversight, signaling a pivotal moment for policymakers to address systemic vulnerabilities and restore public confidence in state-led developmental initiatives.
