Bihar: Under-Construction Bridge Collapses In Madhubani, 5th Incident In 9 Days
The 75-meter-long bridge, located in the Madhepur Block of Bheja police station, was under construction since 2021 by the Rural Works Department of the Bihar government, with a budget of Rs 3 crore.
An under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar's Madhubani district on Friday, marking the fifth such incident in the state in the last nine days. The 75-meter-long bridge, located in the Madhepur Block of Bheja police station, had been under construction since 2021 by the Rural Works Department (RWD) of the Bihar government, with a budget of Rs 3 crore.
VIDEO | A portion of an under-construction bridge on Bhutahi river in Madhubani, Bihar collapsed earlier today.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 28, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/wpxEXNlbo9
The collapse occurred when a 25-meter-long supporting pillar fell into the river below due to rising water levels. Images from the scene showed the fallen pillars covered with large tarpaulin sheets.
Reacting to the incidents, former Deputy Chief Minister and Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed the state government, saying, "This is the 5th bridge collapse in Bihar within 9 days. A bridge under construction for years on the Bhootahi River between Madhubani-Supaul collapsed. Did you find out? If not, why? Try to find out?"
𝟗 दिन के अंदर बिहार में यह 𝟓वाँ पुल गिरा है।
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) June 28, 2024
मधुबनी-सुपौल के बीच भूतही नदी पर वर्षों से निर्माणाधीन पुल गिरा। क्या आपको पता लगा? नहीं तो, क्यों? बूझो तो जाने? #Bihar #Bridge pic.twitter.com/IirnmOzRSo
This incident follows several similar reports in recent days. A bridge collapsed in Kishanganj district on Thursday. On June 23, an under-construction small bridge fell in East Champaran district. On June 22, a bridge over the Gandak canal collapsed in Siwan. On June 19, a portion of an under-construction bridge fell in Araria.
Bihar has seen numerous bridge collapses, raising concerns about the quality of public infrastructure. In March, a bridge collapsed in Supaul resulting in one death and eight injuries. Last June, a 200-meter stretch of the Agauni-Sultanganj bridge over the Ganga caved in. In April 2022, strong winds caused the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur.
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(With inputs from Ajay Dhari Singh)