Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihar's Bhagalpur for the second time
What happened?
On June 4, 2023, an under-construction bridge over the river Ganga collapsed in Bihar's Bhagalpur district. The bridge was to connect the Aguwani and Sultanganj regions of Bihar, and reduce the travel time between Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts. The collapse was captured on camera by locals, who witnessed the bridge falling like a pack of cards into the river. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported due to the incident.
This was not the first time that the bridge collapsed. In April 2022, a similar incident had occurred, when a portion of the bridge had fallen due to a storm. The bridge had also developed cracks and pillars had slumped into the river.
Why did it happen?
The exact cause of the collapse is not yet clear, but some experts have blamed poor construction quality, faulty design, and lack of supervision for the mishap. The bridge was being built by Gammon India Limited, a Mumbai-based infrastructure company, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,710 crore. The project was started in 2014 and was supposed to be completed by 2020, but it has been delayed by over three years due to various reasons.
The state government has ordered a probe into the collapse and has asked the road construction department to identify those responsible and take stern action against them. The chief minister Nitish Kumar has expressed his displeasure over the incident and has assured that the bridge will be rebuilt with better quality and safety standards.
What are the implications?
The collapse of the bridge has raised serious questions about the quality and safety of infrastructure projects in Bihar, where several other bridges have also collapsed in recent years. For instance, in December 2022, a portion of a bridge across Burhi Gandak river in Begusarai had collapsed. In November 2022, a labourer had died and another was injured when an under-construction bridge in Nalanda had collapsed. In 2019 and 2018, under-construction bridges had also collapsed in Kishanganj and Saharsa districts respectively.
The collapse of the bridge has also affected the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on it for commuting and transportation. The bridge was expected to ease the traffic congestion and reduce the travel time between Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts by half an hour. It was also expected to boost the trade and tourism activities in the region. The bridge was part of the National Highway Development Project (NHDP) Phase III, which aims to improve connectivity and accessibility across India.
The table below summarizes some of the key facts about the bridge project:
| Parameter | Value |
| Name | Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga Bridge |
| Location | Between Sultanganj in Bhagalpur and Aguwani Ghat in Khagaria |
| Length | 3.16 km |
| Cost | Rs 1,710 crore |
| Contractor | Gammon India Limited |
| Foundation date | February 23, 2014 |
| Completion date | March 2020 (expected) |
| Collapse date | June 4, 2023 (second time) |
Source
(1) Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihar's Bhagalpur; no casualties. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/under-construction-bridge-collapses-in-bihars-bhagalpur-no-casualties-10740461.html.
(2) Bihar Bridge Collapse: Under-Construction Aguwani-Sultanganj Bridge In Bhagalpur Falls Into River For Second Time. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/bihar-bridge-collapse-under-construction-aguwani-sultanganj-bridge-in-bhagalpur-falls-into-river-for-second-time/ar-AA1c6Wk9.
(3) Bridge in Bihar collapses like a pack of cards in River Ganga | Watch Moment Of Fall. https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/news/bridge-in-bihar-collapses-like-a-pack-of-cards-in-river-ganga-watch-moment-of-fall-101685898135984.html.
(4) Under construction bridge collapses in Bihar's Bhagalpur | Fall caught .... https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-bridge-collapse-bhagalpur-khagaria-under-construction-2388754-2023-06-04.
(5) Rs 1,710 crore underconstruction Bihar bridge falls a second time in .... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rs-1710-crore-underconstruction-bihar-bridge-falls-a-second-time-in-14-months/articleshow/100750637.cms.
Which bridge collapsed in Bihar?
Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge Bihar: A portion of the under-construction bridge over the Ganga River collapsed today. Under construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur collapses. The moment when the bridge collapsed was caught on video by locals. This is the second time the bridge has collapsed.
When was the bridge that collapsed in India built?
There have been no casualties or injuries in the collapse as there was no one on the bridge at the time of the incident. Construction of the bridge began in 2016 and it was built at a cost of Rs 134m (approximately £1.3m) under a state government scheme.
What is the name of the bridge that collapsed in India?
2022 Morbi bridge collapse The bridge photographed in 2008 Show map of Gujarat Show map of India Show all Type Bridge failure Deaths 135 Non-fatal injuries 180+
Which bridge collapsed in Bengal?
Majerhat Bridge Collapse In Kolkata.
