Bihar experienced the collapse of at least three more bridges or causeways on Wednesday, bringing the total to nine incidents in the rain-affected state over the past 15 days. On Thursday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, condemning their silence on the matter.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Criticism
Tejashwi Yadav took to social media platform X to express his frustration. He stated, “Another bridge collapsed in Bihar this morning on July 25. Yesterday alone, five bridges collapsed. Since June, 12 bridges have fallen.”
Yadav further accused PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar of remaining silent on these incidents, suggesting they are trying to convert this corruption into “Jungle Raj.” He criticized them for their continuous rhetoric on corruption, morality, and good governance, accusing them of ignoring these issues by remaining silent.
Government Response and Actions
In response to the collapses, CM Nitish Kumar directed the Road Construction Department (RCD) and Rural Works Department (RWD) to survey all old bridges in Bihar and identify those needing immediate repairs. According to Chaitanya Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department (WRD), some portions of the collapsed bridges in Siwan and Saran on Wednesday were very old. He suggested these structures were not built according to the required standards and lacked adequate foundation depth, making them vulnerable to flood damage.
Specific Incidents in Siwan and Saran
The first incident involved a portion of a small bridge over the Gandaki River in the Deoria block of the Siwan district, which collapsed around 5 am. Deputy Development Commissioner Mukesh Kumar confirmed the collapse and indicated that the cause is under investigation.
Later, another small bridge reportedly collapsed in the Teghra block of the same district. Despite repeated attempts, the district magistrate of Siwan was unavailable for comments.
Two more small bridges also collapsed in Saran, as confirmed by District Magistrate Aman Samir. One of the collapsed bridges in the Janta Bazar area was 100 years old, while another in Lahladpur was built 25 years ago. A high-level investigation has been ordered into these incidents.
Calls for Accountability
The Chief Minister’s Office issued a statement saying CM Kumar instructed department heads to take strict action against those responsible for the faulty constructions. Former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav demanded that the NDA government identify the culprits behind these collapses.
In another post, Yadav remarked on the challenges faced by the current government. He pointed out that even after the collapse of a bridge worth thousands of crores in a single day, the government struggled to find any excuse to blame the opposition. He sarcastically noted that since the BJP is part of the government, corruption and crime are no longer seen as significant issues.
Silence of centre and State
Bihar’s recurring bridge collapses highlight systemic issues that demand urgent attention. The state’s infrastructure failures, especially bridge collapses, raise questions about construction quality and oversight. Despite repeated incidents, development in Bihar lags, with inadequate infrastructure hindering progress. Corruption allegations further tarnish Bihar’s governance, impacting public trust and economic growth.
The lack of decisive action from both central and state governments exacerbates these concerns. Addressing Bihar’s challenges requires robust structural reforms, stringent oversight mechanisms, and transparent governance practices. Without meaningful interventions, Bihar’s development prospects remain uncertain, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and discontent among its residents.
Conclusion
The recent bridge collapses in Bihar have brought to light serious structural deficiencies and have sparked political tensions. The scrutiny of the government and vocal criticism from opposition leaders leave uncertainty about how these issues will address to ensure the safety and integrity of Bihar’s infrastructure.
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