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.

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?"

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.

(With inputs from Ajay Dhari Singh)