Bhagalpur/Patna: Bihar’s Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra on Saturday inspected the four Bailey bridges constructed on the Vikramshila Setu and reviewed the progress of the emergency restoration work undertaken after damage to a section of the bridge.
Bhagalpur District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary and senior officials accompanied the minister during the inspection.
Following the review, Shailendra said the state government had moved swiftly after a slab on the Vikramshila Setu was damaged, prompting concerns over connectivity between north and south Bihar.
According to the minister, Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary took immediate cognisance of the situation and contacted Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to seek the assistance required for the construction of the temporary bridges.
‘Record-Time Construction’
Shailendra said the Bailey bridges were completed through the coordinated efforts of the state government, district administration and multiple departments.
He praised officials and engineers involved in the project, saying work had continued around the clock to restore connectivity as quickly as possible.
According to the minister, the project represents the first instance in the country of Bailey bridges being constructed on a hanger-truss structure within such a short period.
He said a final inspection of the work had been carried out and that all arrangements were found to be satisfactory.
“The structure has been built with complete attention to safety and is free from any defects,” the minister said.
Bridges To Open On June 7
The minister announced that the four Bailey bridges would be formally opened to the public at 10am on June 7.
He said the temporary arrangement would provide immediate relief to commuters while authorities continue to work on a long-term solution for the bridge.
District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary confirmed that traffic would begin using the Bailey bridges from Sunday morning.
According to the district administration, only small vehicles will be permitted to use the route initially. Heavy vehicles will continue to be diverted through alternative routes already designated by the authorities.
Permanent Solution Under Review
Shailendra said technical assessments and investigations into the damaged section of the Vikramshila Setu are continuing.
He noted that engineers and experts are examining multiple options to determine a permanent solution.
A final decision on the long-term restoration plan is expected after September 15, once the ongoing technical review process is completed.
The Vikramshila Setu, one of Bihar’s most important road links across the Ganges, plays a critical role in connecting Bhagalpur and neighbouring districts. The damage to the bridge had caused significant disruption to traffic movement and raised concerns among residents and businesses dependent on the route.
Officials said the opening of the Bailey bridges is expected to ease traffic pressure and restore a measure of normalcy while permanent repair plans are finalised.
