Government’s proactive measures avert disaster, raising concerns over construction quality
An under-construction bridge over the Ganga river in Bihar, intended to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur, collapsed on Sunday due to design flaws, according to state government officials. In a remarkable display of proactive decision-making, portions of the bridge were deliberately destroyed under expert advice to prevent a potential disaster. The collapse has reignited debates over construction standards and raised questions about the accountability of the involved parties.
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Additional Chief Secretary of Road Construction Department, Pratyay Amrit, wasted no time in organizing a press conference to address the situation. Yadav revealed that after a portion of the bridge had previously collapsed on April 30 last year, the state government sought the assistance of IIT-Roorkee, renowned for its construction expertise, to conduct a comprehensive study. Although the final report is pending, preliminary findings indicated serious defects in the bridge’s design.
Considering the urgency of the matter and the potential risks involved, the government decided not to wait for the final report and opted to dismantle the vulnerable portions of the bridge. Once the final report is available, the state government plans to take appropriate action, which may include lodging an FIR (First Information Report) and blacklisting the contractor responsible for the flawed construction.
The bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore, had been the subject of controversy since a section collapsed last year. Tejashwi Yadav, in response to criticism from the opposition party, highlighted that the incident had been thoroughly investigated after his party assumed power. The recent collapse validated the concerns raised by experts regarding multiple structural defects in the bridge.
Fortunately, the collapse occurred without any casualties or injuries. However, as the video footage of the incident circulated through various media outlets, the state BJP president, Samrat Choudhary, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who severed ties with the BJP in August last year. Fellow BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain echoed these sentiments, alleging corruption and calling for a high-level inquiry into the mishap. Hussain further raised concerns about the construction works awarded to the same contractor, suggesting a need for increased scrutiny.
Additional Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit, who was immediately summoned by the chief minister, confirmed that a detailed report on the incident was requested. The chief minister emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable. The bridge, initially scheduled for completion in November 2019, holds significant significance for the connectivity and development of north Bihar.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal took to Twitter to highlight that a significant portion of the construction took place during the tenures of various road construction ministers, including Mangal Pandey, Nand Kishore Yadav, and Nitin Nabin. The party questioned whether the BJP should bear the blame for the incident.
The collapse of the ambitious Ganga bridge in Bihar has unveiled a deeper issue of construction quality and accountability. While the government’s proactive actions prevented potential casualties, the incident serves as a wake-up call for the construction industry in Bihar and raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight and regulatory measures. It remains to be seen how the authorities will address the matter and ensure the completion of the bridge with enhanced quality and safety standards.