The ongoing saga of Bihar’s under-construction Sultanganj-Aguwani bridge took another alarming turn as a section of the four-lane bridge collapsed into the Ganga river for the third time on Saturday. The latest collapse occurred between pillars 9 and 10, along the stretch from Sultanganj to Agwani Ghat in Bhagalpur district, raising serious concerns about the structural integrity of the entire project.
The bridge, intended to connect the Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts, has been under construction since 2014, with the project plagued by delays and structural issues. Despite over ₹1,717 crore being invested in its construction, the repeated collapses have cast a shadow over the viability and safety of the bridge. The deadline for completing the project has been extended eight times, yet the bridge remains incomplete, with significant sections repeatedly failing.
In the latest incident, Khagaria District Magistrate Amit Kumar Pandey stated that the structure was already slated for dismantling by the contractor following a directive from the Patna High Court. “The entire structure of the under-construction bridge, which is faulty, is supposed to be dismantled by the contractor. The construction work has already stopped there,” Pandey told news agency PTI. Thankfully, no casualties were reported in the latest collapse.
SP Singla Construction Company, the firm responsible for the bridge’s construction, is now facing intensified scrutiny as questions mount regarding the safety protocols and engineering standards applied during the project. The repeated failures have led to calls for a comprehensive investigation to determine the root causes of the collapses and to hold those responsible accountable.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi responded to the incident by urging for an investigation to identify any lapses or potential wrongdoing that may have contributed to the bridge’s repeated failures. “An investigation should be conducted to identify where the lapses occurred that have led to not just one, but several bridge collapses. Those responsible must be held accountable. Why are so many bridges collapsing this year? Could there be a political conspiracy behind it?” Manjhi questioned.
The collapse of the Sultanganj-Aguwani bridge is not an isolated incident in Bihar. In December 2022, a portion of another bridge across the Burhi Gandak river in Begusarai collapsed after developing cracks. A month earlier, an under-construction bridge in Nalanda district collapsed, resulting in the death of a laborer and injuries to another. Similar incidents have been reported in Kishanganj and Saharsa districts, further highlighting the challenges and risks associated with infrastructure projects in the state.
The ongoing issues with the Sultanganj-Aguwani bridge have prompted widespread concern, with many questioning the competence and oversight of those responsible for the project. As investigations continue, the fate of the bridge and the broader implications for infrastructure development in Bihar remain uncertain.
