The sudden collapse of a bridge over the Gandak canal in Bihar’s Siwan district on Saturday has caused widespread panic and uproar among residents. The incident occurred with a loud noise that reverberated through the neighbouring Ramgarh area in Darbhanga district. Fortunately, initial reports indicate that there were no casualties.
A video capturing the moment of the bridge’s collapse has surfaced, highlighting the severity of the structural failure. This bridge, which connected the markets of Patedhi Bazar in Maharajganj district with Ramgarh Panchayat in Darbhanga, was a vital link for thousands of daily commuters.
BIG BREAKING ⚡
One more bridge collapsed in Bihar (Siwan), second such masterstroke in one week.
Gems of NDA ruled Bihar pic.twitter.com/NHYqnxChD8
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) June 22, 2024
Residents expressed outrage over the negligence leading to the collapse, noting that the bridge, constructed nearly 40 years ago during the canal’s development phase, had not been properly maintained. The erosion around the bridge pillars, caused by improper handling during the canal’s construction, eventually led to the collapse of one of the pillars.
The collapse has completely severed access across the Gandak canal, forcing residents to undertake long detours to reach neighboring villages.
Also Read: Bihar bridge built at Rs 12 crore collapses into river even before launch
This incident comes just days after a similar event in Araria, where a concrete bridge over the Bakra River, built at a cost of Rs 12 crore, collapsed before its inauguration. Visuals from that collapse showed the bridge tilted on one side with a crowd gathered on the banks, recording the moment it fell apart.
Both incidents have raised serious concerns about the quality of infrastructure and maintenance in the region, prompting calls for urgent action to prevent such occurrences in the future.
