Patna: Construction work on the damaged section of the Sultanganj-Aguwani Ghat bridge resumed on Saturday, nearly nine months after the Patna High Court ordered the Bihar government to rebuild the collapsed span. The Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) began work on the stretch between pier-9 and pier-13, as part of a phased reconstruction plan.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Road Construction Department, Mihir Kumar Singh, said that work on the access road is underway in the first phase to ensure smoother traffic movement. “We are expediting the fabrication of composite beam girders in approved workshops as per the revised structural design. Improvements are also being carried out on the well foundations based on recommendations from IIT Roorkee,” he said.
The bridge partially collapsed last year during its construction, drawing sharp criticism over structural flaws and lapses in oversight. The state’s promise to rebuild the infrastructure has been closely monitored by the courts and civil society. With a revised superstructure design now in place, the government aims to complete the remaining construction—including the approach road and other auxiliary work—within 18 months.
To ensure timely and quality execution, a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has been formed under the BSBCCL. The unit includes senior structural engineers and is being supported by an independent technical team of experts from IITs and other institutions, who are conducting regular site inspections and offering engineering guidance.
The department has also put in place a multi-tier monitoring mechanism. Monthly reviews will be conducted by the chairman of BSBCCL, while fortnightly inspections will be carried out by the corporation’s managing director. Additionally, the chief engineer (Work Management) from the Road Construction Department will oversee monthly progress reviews to ensure sustained oversight and accountability.
