Bihar Bridge Collapse Triggers Suspension of Engineers, Contractor Scrutiny

Araria: A bridge over the Bakra river at Sikti block in Araria, collapsed on Tuesday, just before its scheduled inauguration, raising serious questions about its construction and safety. Built at a cost of Rs 12 crore, this bridge marked the third attempt in 13 years to establish a crucial link in the region.

Following the collapse, two engineers were swiftly suspended and the contracting agency faced imminent blacklisting. Rural Works Department Minister Ashok Chaudhary took decisive action, suspending Assistant Engineer Anjani Kumar and Junior Engineer Manish Kumar pending further investigation. An FIR was also ordered against the bridge’s contractor, Sirajur Rahman, with proposals to blacklist him from future projects.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari clarified on social media that the project fell under Bihar’s Rural Development Department, distancing it from the Union Road Transport Ministry’s oversight.

Minister Ashok Chaudhary convened a high-level investigative team chaired by Chief Engineer Purnia, tasked with assessing the bridge’s foundation depth, material quality, and structural integrity. A comprehensive report is expected within seven days, with Chaudhary emphasizing stringent penalties for all culpable parties.

The collapse, which saw three pillars sink into the river, triggered a response from both the construction company and local authorities. According to Rural Works Department Executive Engineer Ashutosh Kumar, the incident was exacerbated by increased river flow, which compromised the bridge’s stability. Earlier attempts to divert the river’s course by local residents further weakened the structure.

The Bakra river’s unpredictable path and technical deficiencies have plagued efforts to restore traffic along the Kashi-Kamakhya historical road linking Araria and Kishanganj for over a decade. Despite multiple relocations and an approved budget of 43 crore rupees over the years, the bridge failed to withstand environmental pressures, leaving residents to endure significant detours during the monsoon season.