PATNA, Dec 20: Similar to the collapse of the pedestrian suspension bridge
over the Machchhu river in Morbi in Gujarat in October that killed 140 people,
a newly-built Rs 13-cr 206-metre-long bridge in Bihar collapsed on Sunday morning.
No casualties were reported. The bridge over Burhi Gandak river in Begusarai
district was awaiting official inauguration.
According to reports a crack was detected on the bridge but no action was taken.
A 25-metre stretch between two pillars broke away and crashed into the river.
An inquiry has been ordered.
The construction of the bridge had begun in 2016 and was completed in 2020
but the access roads were to be built before it could be used.
“The bridge, built at a cost of around Rs 13.48 crore, by a local construction
company, was yet to be formally inaugurated. It was, however, in use by pedestrians,
and plying of small vehicles was also allowed,” Begusarai District Magistrate
Roshan Kushwaha said.
He said cacks were noticed on Friday on a stretch between two pillars and plying
of vehicles was suspended. The department concerned was also informed.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) headed by Chirag Paswan tweeted that if
the money was spent judiciously the mishap would not have occurred.
Bridge collapse is a frequent incident in Bihar. A worker died and another
was injured when a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Nalanda
district on November 18. A portion of the structure had collapsed on the labourers
working there. Another one being built on Kosi in Katihar collapsed in July
last in which ten workers were killed. There were also reports of bridge collapses
from other places like Gopalgang, Saran, Kishanganj, Bhagalpur, East Champaran,
Saharsa etc.
See on the Web: What’s behind frequent cases of bridge collapse in Bihar?
