Patna: The Bihar government has ordered a statewide inspection of nearly 45,000 rural bridges and culverts as authorities brace for the annual monsoon season and the heightened risk of flooding, particularly across the vulnerable districts of north Bihar.
The Rural Works Department has directed executive engineers in all districts to carry out special inspections of bridges, culverts and drainage systems to ensure that rural connectivity is not disrupted during heavy rainfall. Officials said the exercise aims to identify structural weaknesses and prevent waterlogging caused by blocked drainage channels.
According to the department, bridges in flood-prone regions frequently come under severe pressure during the monsoon, with rising water levels sometimes flowing over road structures and damaging public infrastructure. Such incidents often isolate villages and disrupt transportation networks across rural areas.
Engineers have been instructed to examine girders, slabs, pillars, joints and water drainage systems during the inspection drive. Any accumulation of silt, soil or debris obstructing the flow of water is to be cleared immediately. Officials said ensuring uninterrupted drainage around bridges and culverts was essential to avoid excess pressure on structures during periods of intense rainfall.
Inspection reports from across the state are expected to be uploaded to the department’s online portal within the next month, allowing authorities to assess the condition of infrastructure before the monsoon intensifies.
The rural works minister, Sunil Kumar, instructed officials to take all preventive measures necessary to avoid disruption during the rainy season. Speaking at a departmental review meeting shortly after assuming office, he warned that negligence in maintenance and monitoring would not be tolerated.
Officials said north Bihar districts remain under particular scrutiny because of their recurring exposure to floods and the concentration of rural bridges in the region. Additional monitoring and maintenance measures have therefore been ordered in these areas.
The department said maintenance responsibilities for recently constructed bridges built by private contractors would remain with the respective agencies, while executive engineers would oversee inspections and repairs of older structures. Any damage identified during the review process is expected to be repaired immediately.
Bihar has a rural road network stretching across approximately 119,000 kilometres, supported by thousands of bridges and culverts. Officials said newer bridges under construction are being designed with a width of seven metres to better withstand increasing traffic volumes and stronger water flows in future monsoon seasons.
The state government said timely inspections and repairs would help minimise disruptions to transport and public movement in rural areas during the rains.
