Bihar bridge collapse number climbs to 10 in 16 days after three more topple within 24 hours

Bihar and bridges — the two just can’t seem to get on. The East Indian state has seen its share of bridge collapses over the years and even had a 60-foot-long bridge “stolen” back in 2022, after all. But the recent trend of bridge collapses in Bihar takes not just the cake, but the entire bakery: 10 bridges have fallen apart in just 16 days.

On Wednesday, three more bridges succumbed to pressure, taking the total number to nine in just the last fortnight.
This comes just a day after the state government scrambled to form a committee to investigate the reasons behind these frequent failures. And on Thursday, another such incident was reported.

The latest incidents involved two bridges in Siwan district, both built on the Gandak river's tributary, the chhadi. One bridge dated back to 1982-83, while the other was constructed in 1998. In Saran district, two small bridges - one in Janta Bazar area and another in Lahladpur area collapsed, disrupting vital connectivity between two villages. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in any of these incidents.
This spate of collapses exposes potential dangers lurking beneath the surface. In Siwan, one of the collapsed bridges was actually undergoing repairs when it gave way. This raises questions about the quality of maintenance and the overall structural integrity of these bridges.

Government representatives point towards the monsoon rains as a contributing factor. Consistent downpour in Nepal, coupled with heavy showers in Bihar, has caused rivers and rivulets to overflow. The increased water pressure strains the bridge pillars, and scouring by fast currents further weakens the foundations, especially at the points where approach roads meet the bridges. Photos from the collapse sites visually confirm this erosion.

According to retired engineers and other specialists, the bridge failures are a result of cut corners, the Deccan Herald reported. They point to problems like using cheap materials instead of high-quality ones, ignoring approved blueprints, and skimping on inspections during construction. Additionally, they claim government engineers weren't properly overseeing the work, and the right mix of concrete ingredients wasn't followed.

The bridge collapse saga began on June 18 in Bihar’s Araria district, where a portion of a bridge over the Bakra river gave way. Altogether 10 bridges collapsed in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts in the past 16 days, as per sources. The government committee formed on Tuesday has its work cut out and they need to identify the root causes and suggest urgent steps to prevent further disasters.
While the committee deliberates, the people of Bihar are left grappling with disrupted transportation and concerns about safety. A swift and thorough investigation, coupled with robust bridge maintenance plans, are crucial to ensure a safer future for the state's infrastructure.