The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Bihar government regarding a petition seeking directions for the state government to conduct the highest level of structural audits on all existing and under-construction bridges in the state. The petition also calls for the demolition or retrofitting of weak structures where feasible, in the wake of recent bridge collapses in the state.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the Bihar government and other concerned respondents to file a reply to the petition.
The court was hearing the petition filed by advocate Brajesh Singh, who urged the top court to direct the Bihar government to conduct comprehensive structural audits of all existing and under-construction bridges in the state and to demolish or retrofit weak structures as necessary.
The petitioner emphasized the urgent need for the top court’s intervention, citing multiple incidents of bridge collapses in Bihar over the past two years, including three major under-construction bridges. These incidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries, highlighting gross negligence by the government and a corrupt nexus between contractors and concerned agencies.
“It is a matter of grave concern that in a state like Bihar, which is the most flood-prone state in India, such incidents of falling bridges are particularly disastrous. The total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 sq. km., which is 73.06 percent of the state’s total geographical area. Therefore, urgent intervention by this Hon’ble Court is required to save lives and address the routine collapse of under-construction bridges,” the petitioner stated.
The petitioner also sought appropriate directions to the State of Bihar to establish a proper policy or mechanism for real-time monitoring of both newly constructed and existing bridges. This should be done similarly to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, on March 4, 2024, which mandates real-time health monitoring of bridges using sensors.
Additionally, the petitioner called for the creation of a permanent body through legislation or executive order, comprising high-level experts from relevant fields, for continuous monitoring of all existing and under-construction bridges in Bihar. This body would also maintain a comprehensive database on the health of all bridges in the state.
The Public Interest Litigation highlighted various bridge collapses in Bihar, particularly river bridges in the districts of Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, and Kishanganj, among others.
(With ANI Inputs)
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