Massive Bridge Collapse: 1700 Crore Bridge Project in Bhagalpur, Bihar Crumbles

The under-construction 4-Lane Bridge over the Sultanganj-Aguwani Ganga River in Bhagalpur, Bihar, has once again experienced a catastrophic collapse. The bridge's superstructure, still in the construction phase, plunged into the river, leading to the disappearance of two guards who were on duty at the time. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, spearheaded by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team. This unfortunate incident has occurred for the second time, casting doubts on the safety and quality of infrastructure projects in the region.

#Bihar a portion of under construction bridge over Ganga river collapsed today. The Aguanhighat Sultanganj bridge will connect Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts. pic.twitter.com/7DLTQszso7

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 4, 2023

Details of the Collapse:

The collapsed section of the 4-lane Bridge spans the entire superstructure above piers 10, 11, and 12 on the Aguwani side, covering an approximate length of 200 meters. The precise cause of the accident remains unclear at this stage. The responsibility for the construction of this significant bridge, intended to connect Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts in Sultanganj, lies with the SP Singla Company. The incident took place on a Sunday evening, drawing attention to the need for a thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the bridge.

Kismat dekhiye Bihar ki, CM aise baat kar rahe jaise koi alien unki jagah power mai ho; "Humko nahi pata kaise gir gya, agar ban jaata to ketna Khushi hota" 🤦 #BhagalpurBridgepic.twitter.com/hebraVhikJ

— Mihir Jha (@MihirkJha) June 5, 2023

Previous Incident and Resumption of Construction:

It is noteworthy that a similar incident occurred last year on April 27, when a section of the bridge's superstructure collapsed into the river. Fortunately, no casualties were reported on that occasion. The collapse was attributed to a powerful storm and heavy rainfall, resulting in the destruction of approximately 100 feet of the bridge's length. Following the incident, construction work on the bridge was resumed. This time, around 80 percent of the superstructure work has been completed, indicating substantial progress. Additionally, 45 percent of the approach road work has also been accomplished.

Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bihar collapsed into the Ganga few hours ago.The bridge, being made at a cost ₹1710 crores, was to connect Khagaria & Bhagalpur districts.Instead of poking his nose in issues not concerning him, Nitish Kumar should concentrate on his own state!! pic.twitter.com/hO24xcJMcg

— Priti Gandhi - प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) June 4, 2023

Importance of the Bridge and Project Costs:

The 4-lane Bridge holds immense significance for the Bihar government as it serves as a vital link between North and South Bihar. The initial estimated cost for this notable project was 1,710.77 crores. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone on February 23, 2014, marking the beginning of construction. Once finished, the bridge, in conjunction with the road construction, will connect NH-31 and NH-80, facilitating seamless transportation between these regions. The bridge spans a length of 3.160 kilometers, with the approach path totaling approximately 25 kilometers. The SP Singla Construction Limited company is responsible for its construction.

Public Reactions and Concerns:

The latest collapse of the Four-lane  Bridge has sparked reactions on social media platforms. Shehzad Jai Hind, BJP National Spokesperson, expressed his concerns and raised questions about the repeated collapse of the bridge, labeling it a "bridge of corruption." Another user highlighted the cost difference between the Chenab Bridge led by PM Modi and the Bhagalpur Bridge led by CM Nitish Kumar, emphasizing the need for quality infrastructure in India.

Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihar’s Bhagalpur.The Aguwani Sultanganj Ganga bridge was being constructed in Bihar’s Khagaria with a cost of over Rs 1,700 crore. The bridge had also suffered some damage back in April due to a storm pic.twitter.com/oJn7PdP4om

— Mahua Moitra Fans (@MahuaMoitraFans) June 4, 2023

The collapse of the four-lane Bridge in Bihar has raised serious concerns about the safety, quality, and management of infrastructure projects in the region. The incident calls for a thorough investigation into the causes behind the collapse and highlights the need for stringent measures to ensure the integrity of such vital structures. The government must address these concerns promptly to restore public confidence and prevent similar incidents in the future.

- PTC PUNJABI