Bihar: Section of Under-construction Bridge Collapses in Ballia

A section of an 80-meter-long bridge under construction across the Magai River collapsed due to a broken beam, as reported by district officials on Monday. The bridge, with an estimated cost of over Rs 8 crore, is being constructed by Setu Nigam between Katharia and Firozpur.

The District Magistrate stated that a three-member team has been formed to investigate the incident and is expected to submit their report within three days. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties associated with the collapse.

District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar of Ballia commented on the situation, saying, “An 80-meter-long bridge was being constructed over the Magai River at a cost of Rs 8 crore 15 lakh. Yesterday, due to a beam breakage, the bridge collapsed. A three-member team has been assigned to investigate the matter, and the inquiry will be completed within three days. We will send a complaint to the Government against those responsible, and strict action will be taken.”

This incident resembles a similar bridge collapse in June when the under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bihar’s Bhagalpur collapsed. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Patna High Court, calling for an independent inquiry into the collapse. The petitioner, Manibhushan Pratap Sengar, requested an impartial investigation rather than a departmental inquiry and sought action against SP Singla Company, responsible for the bridge construction.

Furthermore, in August, 17 workers lost their lives when an under-construction railway bridge collapsed in Aizawl, Mizoram.

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