Under-construction bridge collapses in Motihari, third such incident in Bihar this week

The ₹1.5-crore bridge was being constructed by the state government's Rural Works Department (RWD).

An under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar's East Champaran district on Sunday, officials said, with this being the third such incident in the state since Tuesday.

The 16-metre-long bridge was being built over a canal by Bihar's Rural Works Department (RWD).

No casualty was reported in the incident that took place in Motihari, according to officials.

“The exact cause is not yet known. It is a serious matter and a departmental inquiry has been ordered. We will take strict action against those found guilty,” Dipak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Bihar's Rural Works Department (RWD), told PTI.

“The district administration has already dispatched its senior officials. They have reached the spot. A detailed report is awaited,” Singh added.

District Magistrate (DM) Saurabh Jorwal also said that the exact cause of the incident was being ascertained.

“We have reports that a section of locals initially objected to the construction of some pillars of the bridge. Police are also looking into this matter,” the DM stated.

The 16-metre-long structure, being built at a cost of ₹1.5 crore, would have connected Amwa village in Motihari's Ghorasahan block to other areas of the block. It was being constructed over a canal by the state government's RWD.

On the previous day, a newly constructed bridge, also built over a canal, came crashing down in the Siwan district. It connected villages in the Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks.

On June 18, another newly bult bridge, about 180 metres in length, collapsed in the Araria distrct.

In recent months, Bihar has seen several mishaps involving bridges – large and small – built over rivers and other water bodies. Though no such incident resulted in casualties, these have led to questions being raised on the quality of public works.