Days after a section of the ‘Vikramshila Setu’ in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district collapsed, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated the construction of a temporary Bailey bridge to restore connectivity. The collapse had caused disruptions for commuters, prompting the urgent need for the temporary bridge.
The temporary Bailey bridge, spanning 49 meters, is currently under construction to facilitate light vehicular traffic. In a symbolic gesture, priests and BRO personnel conducted a ‘bhoomi pujan’ at the construction site before commencing the work. Authorities are working diligently to complete the bridge construction promptly due to the inconvenience faced by the public.
The Bihar government is planning to allow the movement of small vehicles on the bridge once the construction is completed. The collapse, which occurred on May 4, led to a 33-meter stretch of the bridge collapsing into the Ganga River. Following the incident, the state government took administrative action and requested central support for expedited repairs.
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary engaged in discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and military officials to address the urgent need for the bridge’s reconstruction. The collapse disrupted connectivity across 16 districts, impacting the daily commute of nearly 1 lakh individuals. The ‘Vikramshila Setu’ is a crucial link between north and south Bihar, emphasizing the significance of its restoration.
The incident has sparked concerns regarding the bridge’s structural integrity, especially considering its history of multiple repairs in the past decade. The recurrence of damage has raised questions about construction quality and oversight, highlighting the need for thorough investigations and preventive measures.
