Another under construction bridge collapsed in Bihar Breakthrough

The Construction of the 49-kilometer Galgalia-Bahadurganj 4-lane project in Bihar has been disrupted by a settlement of approximately 600mm beneath pier P3 on a major bridge. The incident occurred on 23.06.2023, but no casualties or injuries were reported among the construction workers. The project, awarded to GR Infra Projects Highway Ltd, has made 70% physical progress. Preliminary investigations suggest the settlement may have been caused by a recent rise in water flow from Nepal in the Mechi River. A team of experts has been formed to investigate the cause and recommend remedial measures. An under-construction bridge in Bihar collapsed earlier this week, once again putting the spotlight on infrastructure safety in the state.

The incident occurred during the late afternoon, sending shockwaves through the local community and reigniting debates about the quality of construction practices in India’s infrastructure projects. While the exact location is under official confirmation, preliminary reports from (Construction) suggest that portions of the bridge’s central span gave way, leading to debris falling into the river below. Within minutes of the collapse, local residents and on-site workers began rescue efforts. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed swiftly to secure the area. Medical teams established temporary first-aid camps to treat the injured.

Officials have assured that rescue efforts are ongoing and that every injured person is receiving urgent medical care. The bridge site has been sealed off to prevent further accidents. While the official investigation is still in progress, early indications point to structural instability and possible lapses in quality checks. Sources familiar with the project told that the bridge had undergone multiple design changes in the past year. Experts note that factors such as substandard construction material, inadequate supervision, or deviation from approved engineering designs can significantly increase the risk of collapse. The Bihar government has set up a high-level inquiry committee to establish the root cause.

Accountability and Legal Actions

Questions are being raised over the responsibility of the construction company and supervising engineers. The bridge was reportedly being built under a state infrastructure development project aimed at improving connectivity to rural areas. If found guilty of negligence, the contractor could face penalties, blacklisting, and even criminal charges under the Indian Penal Code. Citizens’ groups are also demanding that the state’s (Public Department) take stricter oversight measures to prevent such tragedies. This collapse is not an isolated incident. Over the past decade, Bihar has witnessed several high-profile bridge failures, undermining public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects. These incidents also raise doubts about the durability of recently built structures.

Lessons for Future Infrastructure Development

Experts emphasize that the collapse should serve as a wake-up call. Recommendations include

• Mandatory third-party safety audits before project completion.
• Real-time monitoring of construction progress via drones and sensors.
• Enhanced accountability for both government and private contractors.
• Public disclosure of project status reports for greater transparency.

Countries like Japan and Germany are often cited as models, where strict compliance with engineering standards has minimized infrastructure failures. Adopting similar practices in India could reduce the frequency of such tragic events. The incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media platforms like Twitter (X) and Facebook, with hashtags such as #BiharBridgeCollapse trending nationwide. Many users have shared videos from the site, showing dust clouds and mangled steel beams in the river. Civil society groups are calling for protests, demanding both justice for the victims and long-term reforms in infrastructure governance.

The bridge collapse in Bihar is not just a structural failure—it’s a governance failure. The tragedy has once again highlighted the pressing need for rigorous quality control, proactive safety measures, and accountability in infrastructure development. Until systemic changes are implemented, incidents like this will continue to erode public trust and jeopardize lives. The situation underscores the urgent need for transparency, stringent quality control, and periodic safety audits. Analysts warn that without systemic reform, future projects including those under the Bharatmala and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) could face similar risks.