A 70-metre-long bridge in Bihar’s Kishanganj district collapsed on Wednesday evening, disrupting connectivity for 40,000 residents across multiple villages. Built under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2011 at a cost of ₹25 lakh, the structure succumbed to floodwaters intensified by incessant rainfall. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported.
Authorities swiftly responded by barricading the bridge and halting traffic at Shrawan Chowk near Bansbari village under Bahadurganj block. Shrawan Sahni, executive engineer of the rural works department (RWD), noted ongoing monitoring of the bridge’s condition and confirmed that traffic has been completely halted following an inspection.
Circle officer Ashish Kumar attributed the collapse to flooding from the Mariya River, exacerbated by heavy rains in Nepal’s catchment areas. He highlighted pre-existing damage to the bridge and acknowledged prior alerts to the concerned department for repairs.
This incident marks the fourth bridge collapse in Bihar within a week, reflecting growing concerns over infrastructure stability amid adverse weather conditions and aging structures. Investigations continue into similar recent collapses in Araria, West Champaran, and Siwan districts, prompting heightened scrutiny and preventive measures.
The series of collapses underscore the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to ensure public safety and uninterrupted connectivity in Bihar’s rural areas.
