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A bridge under construction linking Khajaria and Bagalpur collapsed on 4 June. A security guard was killed in the accident. (photo: PTI/file)
The ministry said that the narrow water flow and excessive cleanliness of the sandy riverbed led to the accident. Four officials involved in the construction work were suspended immediately
Another bridge under construction collapsed in Bihar on Saturday, just days after one collapsed in Khagaria district. The latest accident occurred in the Kishangang district, while the Ministry of Land Transportation and Highways said on Sunday that narrow water flow and excessive cleanliness of the sandy river bed led to the accident.
According to the ministry, there were no casualties or casualties among the construction workers. At least four officials involved in the construction work have been suspended with immediate effect. The bridge, which is being built over the Meichi River, will connect Araria and Kishangang regions. The superstructure was erected in May and the bridge is not yet operational.
The ministry said an unexpected settling of 600 mm occurred at the base of the pier under the P3 pier on the main bridge on Saturday. Preliminary investigation reveals that there has been a recent surge in water flow from Nepal into the Mechi River on which this bridge is being built. Moreover, preliminary investigations also revealed that the entire river was channeled through stretches P2-P3-P4 during construction activity, which led to reduced water flow and excessive cleanliness of the sandy river bed. This likely contributed to the settlement of the substrate foundation at P3,” the ministry’s statement read.
The ministry further said that a team of officers from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the concessionaire and the independent engineer has reached the site and is undertaking the necessary initial rectification work to avoid any further settling of the pile foundation at P3.
A three-member expert committee has been set up, which is scheduled to visit the site for a detailed investigation and to ascertain the reason behind the settlement of the pile foundation in P3. It will also suggest remedial measures to be taken. The committee includes ADG AK Shrivastava (retd) of MoRTH; Technical Public Relations Officer (Bridges) SK Sharma (retired) from Central Road Research Institute; and Venkatram PG of L&T Infrastructure Engineering Ltd.
The construction of the project’s four lanes between Galgalia and Bahadurganj – with a total length of 49 km – has been awarded to GR Infra Projects Highway Ltd in January 2022. Currently, physical progress is at 70 percent.
On June 4, a bridge under construction connecting Khagaria and Bhagalpur collapsed. A security guard was killed in the accident.
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