Weeks after a portion of the Vikramshila Bridge over the Ganga river collapsed in Bhagalpur, Bihar, the deteriorating condition of another bridge in Gaya district has raised concerns.
The Kenyan bridge in Gaya was built at a cost $64 crore, is on the verge of collapse, with photos showing exposed iron bars and damaged poles, according to PTI.
A video clip published by the news agency showed wide and deep cracks between the concrete slabs, and rusty iron bars protruded from beneath them. Parts of the bridge appear to be in a dilapidated state with damaged corners, revealing poor construction quality.
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The poor condition of the bridge has raised concern among local residents. The main bridge over the Falgu River connects Jaya to places in the east, including Rajgir and Nawada.
Prem Kumar, a local MLA from Gaya, said an alert had been sent to the road construction department and inspection of bridges across the state had begun, the Times Of India reported.
“In this regard, the Road Construction Department has been informed. The department has initiated an investigation and is conducting inspections of all bridges across the state. Their current condition and structural age are being assessed, while complaints are also being received from different areas,” it said.
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Bridge collapse in Bihar
Earlier this month, a slab collapsed between two pillars of Vikramshila Setu, connecting Purvanchal district to Seemanchal town, in Bhagalpur.
The May 4 collapse preceded the expansion joint’s first subsidence, after which a slab fell into the Ganges the next day.
Although no injuries were recorded, traffic in the area is still diverted.
In a new case, several pillars of a bridge over the Sakri river collapsed at Dariapur in Nalanda district on Friday, according to PTI.
The bridge, which was constructed about 10 years ago, connects the eastern part of Nalanda district with the western district of Sheikhupura.
Officials said that vehicular movement on the bridge has completely stopped, and a team of technical experts is investigating the accident, including the quality of construction materials used.
