Motihari/Patna: A newly constructed bridge in East Champaran’s Motihari has come under scrutiny after a long crack appeared on its approach road barely 20 days after its inauguration.
The Manjuraha-Hardia bridge, constructed at a cost of around Rs 13 crore, was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on September 1. A crack measuring around 20 feet has now reportedly appeared on the approach road, while part of the road also appears to have subsided.
The development has raised concerns among local residents, who have demanded a technical inspection to determine the reason behind the damage.
Crack Appears Weeks After Inauguration
The bridge has been constructed across Berua Ghat between Manjuraha and Hardia to improve connectivity in the area.
The approximately 72-metre-long and 7.5-metre-wide RCC bridge was expected to provide a more direct route for residents travelling towards the district headquarters and other parts of East Champaran.
However, only a few weeks after the bridge was opened, residents noticed a long crack along a section of the approach road.
Approach Road Shows Signs of Subsidence
According to local residents, a portion of the approach road also appears to have sunk.
A repair patch has reportedly been placed over part of the affected section, but residents have questioned whether the measure addresses the underlying problem.
The exact cause of the crack has not yet been established. Possible factors such as settlement of the soil, the road base, drainage conditions or construction-related issues would need to be assessed through a technical inspection.
Locals Demand Technical Investigation
The condition of the newly constructed approach road has prompted residents to seek an inspection by the concerned authorities.
Residents including Ranjit Giri, Santosh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Anil Kumar and Laxman Sahani have reportedly raised concerns over the condition of the road and demanded that officials examine the affected section.
Ranjit Giri said the appearance of such a long crack soon after construction warranted an investigation into the reasons behind the damage.
Residents have sought a technical assessment to determine whether the problem is related to construction quality, soil settlement or another engineering factor.
Bridge Improves Connectivity for Several Blocks
The Manjuraha-Hardia bridge is considered an important connectivity project for surrounding areas.
Before the bridge was constructed, residents had to take longer routes to reach the district headquarters and other destinations. The new bridge has reduced travel distances and improved direct connectivity for people from around 10 blocks in the surrounding region.
The appearance of damage on the approach road has therefore become a concern for residents who depend on the route for regular travel.
What Caused the Crack?
The key question now is why the approach road developed a significant crack so soon after the project was opened.
Residents have raised questions about the strength of the road base, soil compaction and construction materials. However, these remain questions until an authorised technical assessment establishes the actual cause.
Experts would need to examine the road structure, soil conditions, drainage arrangements, construction materials and compaction before determining what led to the damage.
Official Response Awaited
The exact reason for the crack has not yet been officially established.
No detailed official response from the concerned department or construction agency was available in the source report regarding the damage or the proposed technical inspection.
A formal assessment will be important to establish whether the problem is linked to soil settlement, drainage, construction methods, material quality or another technical factor.
Residents are now waiting for the authorities to inspect the site and clarify the cause of the damage, as well as the steps planned to restore the approach road.
