Patna/Bhagalpur: Secretary of the Road Construction Department Mr. Pankaj Kumar Pal conducted a site inspection of the Vikramshila Bridge on Monday, reviewing both the damaged structure and ongoing restoration work.
The visit included an assessment of the Bailey Bridge being constructed to temporarily restore connectivity, along with directions on strengthening coordination between agencies involved in the project.
Site Inspection and Assessment
During the inspection, the Secretary reviewed the structural condition of the existing bridge and examined the pace of ongoing Bailey Bridge construction. Officials briefed him on the project timeline, safety considerations, and restoration strategy.
He directed engineers to prioritise safe and timely completion of all pending works to ensure early resumption of traffic movement.
Review Meeting With District Officials
Following the inspection, Mr. Pal held a review meeting with officials from Bhagalpur and Naugachhia, including the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Officer, and engineers from the Road Construction Department.
The discussions focused on restoring connectivity across the bridge and maintaining coordination among field agencies during execution.
Bailey Bridge Progress
Officials informed that a team from the Border Roads Organisation is constructing three Bailey Bridges on the damaged stretch. One segment has already been completed, while work on the remaining two is progressing rapidly.
The Secretary stated that the Bailey Bridge component is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Initially, movement will be restricted to pedestrians and light motor vehicles.
Truss Bridge Plan
Alongside the Bailey Bridge project, preparations have begun for a permanent Truss Bridge. The design phase and preliminary technical work are currently underway.
The proposed structure will include two lanes along with a dedicated pedestrian facility, according to officials.
Administrative Directions
The Secretary instructed officials that no delay or negligence would be tolerated in the repair and restoration work. He directed the Chief Engineer and technical teams to remain present at the site to monitor progress continuously and ensure timely execution of all tasks.
