Bihar: As Tejashwi Yadav Claims Another Bridge Collapse, Official Clarifies Structure 'Not A Bridge'

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged a bridge collapse in Bihar, but officials clarified it was a temporary structure washed away by heavy rainfall.

Another incident of bridge collapse reported in Bihar by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (Source: X/@yadavtejashwi)

Source : Other

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed on Sunday that a collapse of another bridge in Bihar, though a concerned official confirmed that it was a temporary structure that got washed away amid heavy rainfall.

Yadav, the opposition leader in the state assembly, posted a video of the incident from East Champaran district on his social media handle X. In the video, locals are heard blaming the use of poor-quality materials for the incident in a village within the Madhuban block. The authenticity of the video could not be verified.

बिहार के पूर्वी चंपारण में आज फिर एक पुल और गिरा। सरकार थोड़े गिरी है जो खबर बनेगी?

बीते 𝟏𝟗 दिनों में यह 𝟏𝟑वाँ भ्रष्टाचारी पुल गिरा है। पुलिया, सड़क और बाँध टूटने एवं धँसने के तो मामले अनगिनत है। #Bihar
pic.twitter.com/Rzcnm4B5QH

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 7, 2024

District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal acknowledged the incident but made his clarifications that it was "not a bridge, not even a causeway." "A sewage line passes through Lohargawan village. Some parts of it were uncovered. As per the information we have, a decision was taken at the Panchayat level a few years back to erect a structure across the drain to help people cross it without difficulty", news agency PTI quoted the official as saying.

The makeshift structure, not more than a few feet long, covered the drain, he further stated. "As is the case with such unregulated works, mud was used and hence it got washed away when heavy rains battered the area. Nonetheless, we are looking into the matter and will do, at our level, whatever is needed," added the district magistrate.

Bihar Bridge Collapses Spark Political Slugfest

This incident occurred after the collapse of more than a dozen bridges and causeways in the various districts of Bihar in recent weeks, leading to the suspension of at least 15 engineers, though no casualties have been reported.

The bridge collapses have sparked a political controversy, with Tejashwi Yadav criticising the Nitish Kumar government. In response, the ruling NDA has lashed out at the RJD, pointing out that the Rural Works portfolio was under their control until they were ousted from power in January this year.