2024-07-07 09:19:16
Patna: The series of collapse of bridges and culverts continues in Bihar. Now the news of collapse of another bridge has come to light in Masaurhi of Patna district. Due to continuous rain, about 20 years old culvert connecting Doripar and Govindchak villages collapsed. Along with this, a part of the newly built road also collapsed, due to which traffic has come to a halt. It is being told that this incident has happened due to torrential monsoon rains. Due to the collapse of the culvert, traffic between Doripar and Govindchak villages has been completely disrupted. It is being told that this culvert connects the surrounding villages to Masaurhi-Paliganj and Masaurhi-Pitmans road.
The road was built 60 years ago
As soon as the news of the collapse of the culvert was received, officials of the Rural Works Department visited the site and started the repair work. Local people say that this culvert was very old and should have been repaired. Recently, this road was repaired under the Chief Minister Rural Path Maintenance Program. The repair work of this road, which is about one and a half kilometers long, was completed about one and a half to two months ago.
Nitish Kumar’s government in action
The Nitish government is on the backfoot due to the incidents of bridge collapse. After the collapse of many bridges in Bihar in the last few days, the government has taken a big action and suspended 15 engineers. It is being said that this action has been taken after the investigation report, in which the Water Resources Department was held responsible for the collapse of the bridges. The report states that such accidents are happening due to the negligence of engineers and lack of monitoring. In the last 17 days, a total of 10 bridges have collapsed in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts. Some of these bridges were built recently. Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources Department Chaitanya Prasad said that the investigation has found that many small bridges have collapsed due to the negligence of engineers.
Three executive engineers are also among the suspended employees. Additional Chief Secretary of Rural Works Department (RWD) Deepak Kumar Singh said that the process of blacklisting the contractor involved in the construction of the bridge in Araria has been started. Also, the department has stopped payment to the contractor/company for its previous works till the investigation is completed. Apart from this, the department has sought clarification from the concerned officials in the case of bridge collapse in East Champaran on June 23 and Madhubani on June 26. Deepak Singh said that orders have already been given to investigate the collapse of RWD bridges in these two districts.
Politics intensifies on bridges in Bihar
At the same time, politics has also intensified in Bihar over the incidents of bridge collapse. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav raised the question that why the leaders of the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are maintaining silence… These incidents are telling how corruption is prevalent in the ruling party. The former Deputy Chief Minister said that the Rural Works Department, which builds most of the small bridges in the state, has always been with JDU leaders. Who should be held responsible for this mess?
Reacting to Tejashwi Yadav’s allegations, Union Minister and founder of NDA ally Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) Jitan Ram Manjhi said that the matter should not be politicised. He said that the Chief Minister has already issued strict instructions to the senior officials of the department to take strict action against those found guilty. At the same time, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said that the NDA government has taken the matter very seriously and action is being taken against the officials and contractors who have committed irregularities.