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In recent weeks, Bihar has been dealing with the collapse of several bridges, causing significant concern among residents and officials. Over a span of just 10 days, five bridges in the districts of Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhubani have fallen. This alarming trend has prompted the state government to take action.
According to government sources, the state will ask the departments of road construction and rural development to issue notices to the agencies involved in building these bridges. A senior official at the Chief Minister's Office said, "We are waiting for their reports before taking the next course of action."
Here are the details of the five bridge collapses:
1. Araria: On June 18, a bridge over the Bakra River in Araria collapsed. This bridge was built at a cost of Rs 12 crore.
2. Siwan: On June 22, a bridge over the Gandak River in Siwan fell. This bridge was approximately 40-45 years old.
3. East Champaran: A portion of a bridge being constructed between Amwa and Chainpur railway stations collapsed.
4. Kishanganj: A bridge in Kishanganj district also collapsed.
5. Madhubani: A 77-meter girder from an under-construction bridge over the Kosi River in Madhubani collapsed.
These incidents have raised serious concerns about the quality and safety of infrastructure in Bihar. The government is seeking accountability from the agencies and contractors responsible for constructing these bridges.
Why Do Bridges Collapse?
Bridge collapses can happen for various reasons. Here are some common causes:
1. A Combination of Issues: Often, it's not just one problem but a mix of factors that lead to a bridge collapsing. For example, severe winds might not bring down a bridge on their own, but combined with structural problems and extra weight (like construction equipment), they can cause the bridge to fail.
2. Infrastructure Issues: Aging bridges, poor maintenance, and old designs can lead to collapses. For instance, the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse in 2013 was caused by an oversized load, but the bridge was already outdated and declared functionally obsolete.
3. Design Defects: Some bridges fail because of flaws in their original design. Fixing these design issues is important to prevent future collapses.
4. Manufacturing Defects: Sometimes, bridges collapse due to problems that happened during construction or fabrication.
5. Construction Accidents: Mistakes during construction, like not providing enough support or improper assembly, can weaken a bridge.
6. Natural Disasters: Events like earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters can damage or weaken bridges, leading to collapses.
7. Vehicle Overload: Too much weight from vehicles can put too much stress on a bridge, causing it to collapse.
8. Corrosion and Fatigue: Over time, metal parts of a bridge can corrode or get worn out from repeated stress, leading to failure.
The series of bridge collapses in Bihar has highlighted the need for stringent checks and maintenance of infrastructure. The government is focused on finding out what went wrong and making sure that such incidents do not happen again. For now, the affected areas are dealing with the aftermath and hoping for quick action to prevent further collapses.
Residents and officials alike are waiting for detailed reports on these incidents to understand the failures and to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the state's infrastructure in the future.
