Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, June 18, 2024: An under-construction road bridge in Bihar’s Araria district collapsed on Tuesday following a sharp rise in the water level of the Bakra River.
The state government was building the bridge in the Sikti Assembly constituency to connect Pardia Ghat of Sikti block with Kursakanta block. The Rural Development Department was executing the project at a cost of Rs 12 crore.
Heavy rainfall in Nepal triggered a sudden surge of water in the Bakra River, which flows through Sikti, resulting in a forceful current that reportedly swept away the structure.
Under-construction Bridge damaged due to heavy rain:
Three pillars on the Pardia Ghat side were heavily damaged, and the girder installed on top has submerged. Visuals from the spot show debris scattered inside the river channel.
Local expressed anger over the incident:
Sikti MLA Vijay Kumar Mandal said the collapse exposed “negligence and corruption.”
“We had hoped the bridge would be strong, but it was washed away with the first rain. Low-grade material was used. Strict action should be taken against the contra
He added that an old bridge stands upstream, but as the river changed course five years ago, a new alignment had become necessary.
Notably, last year, an under-construction bridge on the Ganga in Khagaria district also collapsed, drawing national attention and sparking debate over accountability in infrastructure works in Bihar.
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EOM.