Sixth Bridge Collapse In Bihar In 10-Day Span, Latest Incident Comes From Thakurganj

Bihar Bridge Collapse: Bihar witnessed yet another bridge collapse on Sunday, marking the sixth such incident in just ten days. The bridge in Thakurganj block succumbed to rising water levels in the Bund River following heavy rains, causing it to sink by a foot and crack, rendering it too dangerous for use.

The bridge, located in Khoshi Dangi village of Patharia panchayat, was constructed in 2007-2008 with funds from the MP budget of the then MP Md Tasleemuddin of Thakurganj. Today, it failed to withstand the pressure of the swollen river, NDTV reported.

Connecting several panchayats, the bridge’s potential complete collapse would severely affect around 60,000 people, as per NDTV’s report. This incident follows the collapse of an under-construction bridge in the Madhubani region on June 28. The Madhubani bridge, a project by the Rural Works Department of the Bihar government, was being built at a cost of Rs 3 crore since 2021.

Earlier collapses have been reported from Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, and Kishanganj districts. The series of incidents began on June 19 with the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Araria. Subsequent collapses occurred in Siwan on June 22, East Champaran on June 23, and Kishanganj on June 24.

ALSO READ | Bihar: Under-Construction Bridge Collapses In Madhubani, 5th Incident In 9 Days

Bihar Bridge Collapse: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Suspects ‘Conspiracy’ As RJD’s Tejashwi Hits Out At ‘Double Engine’ Govt

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has suggested a possible conspiracy behind these incidents, implying a deliberate attempt to defame the BJP-led state government. “Why has the state suddenly started witnessing incidents of bridge collapse? Why is it happening after the Lok Sabha polls? Why were such incidents not taking place a month before? I suspect some conspiracy behind it. Authorities concerned must look into this aspect,” Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), told reporters.

Manjhi also acknowledged the use of sub-standard materials by contractors as a contributing factor and assured that the state government is taking action against those responsible. “It is happening because of the sub-standard material being used by contractors. The state government is taking action against such contractors. The state authorities are probing the matter as well. I also request them to probe the conspiracy angle,” he added.

Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav took a sarcastic jibe at the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar. In a post on X, he wrote, “Congratulations! The double power of the double engine government has led to only five bridges collapsing in just nine days.”

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the six-party NDA government has sent the people of Bihar its bright and prosperous wishes for five bridges collapsing in nine days,” he added.

बधाई हो! बिहार में डबल इंजन सरकार की डबल ताकत से महज 𝟗 दिन में केवल और केवल मात्र 𝟓 पुल ही गिरे है।

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की रहनुमाई और मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार की अगुवाई में 𝟔 दलों वाली डबल इंजनधारी 𝐍𝐃𝐀 सरकार ने बिहारवासियों को 𝟗 दिन में 𝟓 पुल गिरने पर मंगलराज की… pic.twitter.com/Jj8cVPwKlY

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) June 29, 2024

Yadav criticised the administration’s handling of the situation, pointing out the financial losses incurred and questioning the silence of the government. He sarcastically remarked, “People losing thousands of crores due to bridge collapses is being called ‘etiquette’ instead of ‘corruption’ by the self-proclaimed honest people.”