Bihar’s infrastructure woes deepened today as a Rs 2.7 crore bridge in Gopalganj tumbled down mid-construction, marking yet another black mark on the state’s engineering record. The Ghoghari River bridge in Gangwa village, Sidhwalia block, disintegrated during slab casting, with workers barely escaping unharmed.
The project, awarded to Bapudham Construction for 2.07 crore, promised better links for locals but now lies in ruins. DM Pavan Kumar Sinha visited the site, vowing zero tolerance: ‘Engineers and contractors will face the music to prevent repeats.’ Three suspensions followed swiftly, including an engineer, as initial probes revealed glaring lapses.
What went wrong? Sources indicate faulty scaffolding and rushed concreting triggered the failure. Panic ensued as the slab crashed, but quick reflexes saved lives. Officials cordoned off the area, launching a multi-agency review.
Villagers erupted in protest, slamming the use of cheap materials and corrupt supervision. ‘Had it collapsed under traffic, dozens would have died,’ lamented a resident. The halt in work amplifies connectivity pains in this flood-prone region.
Experts decry Bihar’s pattern of such incidents, attributing them to weak quality controls, political pressures, and unqualified contractors. With elections looming, this fiasco could fuel public outrage. The DM’s complaint against errant officials signals a crackdown, but only time will tell if it leads to lasting reforms in the beleaguered PWD.