Bihar suspends 11 engineers after 10 bridges collapse in 15 days

New Delhi: Eleven engineers from Bihar's water resources department have been suspended following a series of bridge collapses across the state. The department announced this action after more than10 bridges fell within a span of 15 days, alarming officials and residents alike. Chaitanya Prasad, Bihar's Development Secretary, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the state government is taking decisive steps. He assured reporters that the contractors responsible for constructing the collapsed bridges would be identified and held accountable.

Recent incidents of bridge collapse

The latest collapse occurred in Saran district, marking the tenth bridge to fail recently. Notably, Saran district alone witnessed three bridge collapses within 24 hours. The affected bridges were located in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj districts, raising concerns over infrastructure stability across Bihar.

Government action plan

In response to the escalating crisis, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted a review meeting where he instructed officials to conduct a comprehensive survey of all older bridges. The goal is to identify structures requiring immediate repairs and ensure public safety.

Ongoing investigation

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary confirmed ongoing investigations into the collapses. He reiterated the government's commitment to uncovering the causes behind the structural failures and implementing necessary corrective measures. After the incident, the Bihar road construction department has planned a bridge maintenance policy. They asked the rural works department to implement the plan as soon as possible.