Bihar has witnessed a staggering nine bridge collapses in the span of just fifteen days, highlighting a critical infrastructure challenge in the state. The latest incidents occurred on Wednesday, with three bridges giving way, two in Siwan and one in Saran district.This surge in collapses follows closely on the heels of the establishment of a three-member committee by rural works officials to investigate the root causes behind these structural failures.
The bridges in Siwan, situated over the Gandaki ‘chhadi’, collapsed without any vehicular traffic present at the time, occurring within eleven days of another bridge collapse in the region on June 22. Meanwhile, in Saran district, a historic British-era bridge, locally known as ‘puliya’, collapsed in the Janata Bazaar block, disrupting connectivity between Kishunpur and Dandaspur. Fortunately, a parallel bridge remains intact, ensuring continued passage. Officials have attributed the collapses to the persistent monsoon rains, which have intensified both in Bihar and neighbouring Nepal, causing rivers and rivulets to swell. The increased water flow exerts substantial pressure on bridge pillars, exacerbated by erosion at the bridge approach points where fast currents scour the earth, weakening the infrastructure. The spate of collapses began on June 18 in Araria, with subsequent incidents reported in East Champaran, Madhubani, Siwan, and Kishanganj districts prior to the latest triple collapse. The government’s newly formed committee aims to deliver a comprehensive report within a week, outlining recommendations for immediate actions and long-term preventive measures.
Authorities have also instructed enhanced security measures, including the installation of barricades, to mitigate risks at vulnerable bridge sites. Despite ongoing repairs and inspections, concerns remain high regarding the structural integrity of Bihar’s aging bridge network, particularly in the face of unpredictable weather patterns and their impact on infrastructure stability.
