Patna: A high-level meeting was convened by the Road Construction Department Bihar on Thursday to address the disruption caused by damage to the Vikramshila Setu and to prepare an emergency plan for restoring traffic movement.
The meeting, chaired by department secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal, focused on the structural condition of the bridge, inspection findings and strategies for resuming transport connectivity at the earliest.
BRO And IIT Patna Join Restoration Effort
Representatives from the Border Roads Organisation, IIT Patna and bridge experts participated in the discussions alongside senior state officials.
Authorities reviewed the extent of damage to one of the bridge spans, current alternative traffic arrangements and proposals for repair and temporary restoration measures.
Officials presented maintenance strategies, design plans and timelines for restoring movement across the bridge.
Bailey Bridge To Be Constructed
During the meeting, authorities discussed the immediate construction of a Bailey bridge and a temporary truss bridge to partially restore traffic flow.
Officials said the Bailey bridge construction would begin shortly with assistance from the Border Roads Organisation and would be carried out on a “war footing”.
The department stated that restoring partial connectivity quickly was essential given the inconvenience faced by residents of Bhagalpur and surrounding districts.
Two-Month Target For Truss Bridge
Alongside the Bailey bridge, a two-lane truss bridge with pedestrian access is also planned.
Officials said the target is to complete the truss bridge project within two months.
The Vikramshila Setu is considered a key transport corridor linking parts of eastern Bihar, and its closure has significantly disrupted movement of vehicles and goods.
IIT Patna Conducting Safety Audit
Authorities also confirmed that a comprehensive safety audit of the entire bridge structure is being conducted by IIT Patna.
The audit report is expected within three weeks and will guide future decisions regarding long-term repairs and strengthening of the bridge.
Officials Directed To Camp At Site
Pankaj Kumar Pal instructed engineers and officials to maintain continuous supervision at the site and warned that negligence in restoration work would not be tolerated.
The department said efforts are under way to restore connectivity while ensuring structural safety and minimising inconvenience to the public.
