Bihar: Guard missing after Rs. 1,700cr bridge collapses in Bhagalpur
What's the story
After a 200-meter stretch of an under-construction bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar's Bhagalpur collapsed, authorities on Monday revealed that a guard was reportedly missing. On Sunday evening, shortly after the collapse of the four-lane bridge, the Bihar government claimed that the structure had "serious defects" and portions were deliberately destroyed in a planned fashion.
Context
Why does this story matter?
It's also worth noting that a portion of the same bridge collapsed on April 30 last year, triggering major concerns over its construction. As per reports, SP Singla Constructions Private Limited was constructing the 3.1-kilometer-long bridge at an expense of Rs. 1,710 crore. Tragically, this incident comes to light just days after the horrific train accident in Odisha that left hundreds dead and injured.
Details
Search operation to find missing guard underway: Official
While providing an update, Parbatta Circle Officer Chandan Kumar told ANI, "He was a guard with the SP Singla Company. We have been searching for him since yesterday night." "SDRF and NDRF teams are also engaged in the search operation. We have not been able to trace the body. We are making efforts to recover the body at the earliest," he added.
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Department looking into it; action will be taken: Bihar CM
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also announced on Monday that the concerned department has already initiated a thorough probe into it and strict actions will be taken against those involved. "I have instructed officials to take strict action. It is not being constructed correctly that's why it is collapsing again and again. The department will look into it, and action will be taken," he stated.
Twitter Post
Video of Bihar CM interacting with media
#WATCH | The bridge that collapsed yesterday had collapsed last year also. I have instructed officials to take strict action. It is not being constructed correctly that's why it is collapsing again & again. The department will look into it & action will be taken: Bihar CM Nitish… pic.twitter.com/Y8m5Zo5Kka
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2023
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Structural defects have been pointed out by experts: Tejashwi Yadav
Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said that numerous "structural defects have been pointed out by experts, and we have already pulled down many portions which have been flagged as particularly vulnerable." "Today's incident confirms our worst apprehensions," Yadav added during a press conference after the bridge collapsed in Bhagalpur.
Further information
BJP attacks Bihar government over Bhagalpur bridge collapse incident
The incident has also triggered a political row in Bihar, with state Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) President Samrat Choudhary demanding the state CM's resignation. Speaking to the news agency PTI, former Bhagalpur MP and saffron brigade leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain blamed the mishap on Sunday on "corruption" and called for a "high-level inquiry" into the matter.
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Hussain's reaction to bridge collapse incident
VIDEO | "An investigation must be launched against Singla company (SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd), who was building this bridge," says BJP leader @ShahnawazBJP on the collapse of an under-construction bridge on river Ganga in Bihar. pic.twitter.com/UYPsRmQKDa
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 4, 2023