Bihar bridge collapse: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Bihar government to conduct a structural audit of all existing and under-construction bridges in the state after several bridges collapsed in the past two weeks. The petitioner has sought directions to the government to set up an expert committee to identify weak bridges which can be either strengthened or demolished based on the findings.
According to the news agency PTI, a total of 10 bridges collapsed in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts in the past 16 days. Many have claimed that heavy rainfall might have contributed to the incidents.
PIL seeks real-time monitoring of bridges
The PIL, filed by advocate and petitioner Brajesh Singh, raised concerns about the safety and longevity of the bridges in the state that witnesses floods and heavy rains during monsoon.
The petitioner said it was a matter of grave concern that Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India. The total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 square km which is 73.06 per cent of its total geographical area.
"It is a matter of grave concern that in a state like Bihar, which is the most flood-prone state of India, the total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 sq. km which is 73.06 per cent of the total geographical area. Hence such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake. Therefore the urgent intervention of this Hon'ble Court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its accomplishment collapsed routinely," the petitioner said.
Besides setting up a high-level expert panel, the petitioner has also sought real-time monitoring of the bridges as per the parameters of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The petitioner has also requested the issuance of a directive to the respondents, specifically Bihar, to establish an efficient permanent body through legislation or executive order. This body would comprise high-level experts from relevant fields for continuous monitoring of all existing and under-construction bridges in Bihar and for maintaining a comprehensive database on the health of all existing bridges in the state.
"Hence such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake. Therefore the urgent intervention of this court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its accomplishment collapsed routinely," the petitioner said.
In response to recent bridge collapse incidents, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has instructed the road construction and rural works departments to survey all old bridges in the state and identify those in need of urgent repair.
(With agencies input)
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