In yet another shocking infrastructure failure in Bihar, a bridge under construction in Gopalganj district collapsed dramatically during the pouring of concrete. The incident occurred over the Ghoghari River in Gangwa village under Sidhwalia block, sending shockwaves through the local community. Valued at approximately 2.7 crore rupees, the RCC bridge was being built by Bapudham Construction when a section of the slab gave way abruptly.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the mishap, but the event has reignited fierce debates over the quality of public works in the state. District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Sinha promptly rushed to the site and ordered a thorough investigation. ‘Strict action will be taken against those responsible, including engineers and the construction firm,’ he declared, emphasizing that such lapses cannot be tolerated.
Preliminary inquiries led to the suspension of three officials, including one engineer. Eyewitnesses described the chaos as workers fled the collapsing structure amid clouds of dust. The 29-meter-long bridge, budgeted at 2 crore 7 lakh 21 thousand 281 rupees, was meant to improve connectivity for the village.
Local residents are furious, pointing fingers at substandard materials and lax oversight. ‘It’s a blessing it fell now rather than after opening,’ said one villager, voicing fears of potential fatalities. The construction has been halted indefinitely pending a detailed technical assessment. Administrative teams and engineering experts are on the ground, probing the root causes—from poor centering to inferior concrete mixes.
This collapse adds to Bihar’s growing list of bridge failures, underscoring systemic issues in tender processes, material testing, and site supervision. As the probe unfolds, the spotlight intensifies on how taxpayer money is being squandered, with calls for accountability growing louder.