Bihar RWD Trains Engineers to Strengthen Bridge Quality and Rural Connectivity

Patna: In a move to enhance the quality of bridge construction across the state and improve the technical efficiency of engineers, the Bihar government organised a special orientation-cum-training programme for junior engineers and technical supervisors at Gyan Bhawan on Sunday.

The programme, hosted by the Rural Works Department, was inaugurated by Minister Ashok Choudhary, who emphasised the government’s ambition to ensure that every rural area in Bihar is connected to the capital within four hours through a robust bridge and road network. He attributed this vision to the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“This is not just a training session, it is the beginning of a new era. Young engineers will lead Bihar towards self-reliance and progress with their dedication and expertise,” said Choudhary. He added that the department has already constructed more than 1,18,700 kilometres of roads, significantly easing the transport of agricultural produce to national and international markets.

The training covered crucial aspects of bridge design, including soil testing, load testing, safety measures and construction processes. Participants were briefed on deep foundation techniques such as pile and well foundations, which are critical when dealing with weak soil or high traffic loads. These methods ensure the structural stability of bridges, particularly in riverine or flood-prone areas.

According to department data, approximately 2,500 bridges have been completed in Bihar so far, with construction underway on 950 more. The recently revived Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana, which had been dormant for nine years, has approved 649 new bridges at a cost of Rs 2,977 crore for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

To standardise quality control, the department has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) that engineers are required to follow. Additional Chief Secretary Dipak Kumar Singh, who also addressed the gathering, stressed the importance of quality assurance in public infrastructure and announced that senior engineers will receive advanced training in a phased manner.

“The focus must remain on technical precision and long-term durability. Our engineers are the backbone of this mission,” Singh said.

The event drew participation from a large number of engineers and technical staff, who engaged in direct dialogue with experts. Chief Engineer-cum-Special Secretary Bhagwat Ram extended a formal welcome to the minister and reiterated the department’s commitment to technical excellence. Senior officials including Special Secretary Ujjwal Kumar Singh, Chief Engineer Nirmal Kumar, and Joint Secretaries Sanjay Kumar and Abhay Jha were also present.