Bhagalpur witnessed a dramatic near-miss when a 25-meter section of the iconic Vikramshila Bridge over the Ganga River collapsed entirely into the waters below. Thanks to the vigilance of patrolling police, the bridge was cleared moments before disaster could strike.
Authorities responded with lightning speed, blocking access from Bhagalpur and Naugachia ends and sealing off the two-lane span. This essential link, stretching 4.7 km on NH 131A, daily ferries about 100,000 people between Bhagalpur and upstream areas including Naugachia, Purnea, and Katihar.
On-site, Sadar SDM Vikas Kumar and City DSP Ajay Kumar Chaudhary are monitoring developments closely. The zone is now fully cordoned for safety. Road Construction Executive Engineer Saket Kumar Raushan pinpointed pillar 33’s deterioration as the culprit behind the failure.
Speaking to reporters, SDM Kumar called it a stroke of luck. Police were conducting a routine check when they noticed the slab shifting gradually. ‘We issued an immediate evacuation alert, and everyone got off safely,’ he recounted, praising it as ‘God’s grace’ that no lives were lost.
Alternative arrangements are in place: heavy vehicles must detour through Munger. For essential commuters like workers, students, and patients, rapid deployment of boats and jetties at Babupur Ghat is underway. Higher authorities have been informed, with bridge specialists arriving shortly to evaluate and fix the damage.
Officials appeal for public cooperation, stressing adherence to safety protocols. The Vikramshila Setu, a lifeline for regional connectivity, highlights infrastructure vulnerabilities in Bihar’s flood-prone Ganga belt. Full repairs and a safety audit are priorities to restore normalcy without compromising commuter safety.
