Fresh concerns have surfaced regarding the safety of bridges in Bihar, particularly the Jadopur-Mangalpur Mahasetu connecting Gopalganj and Bettiah. The district administration has prohibited heavy vehicles from using the bridge due to a detected gap in one of its spans. Currently, only light vehicles are permitted to cross under strict supervision to avert any potential mishaps.
Gopalganj District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Sinha expressed serious apprehension over the structural gap found in the bridge, emphasizing that delays in repairs could exacerbate the situation. Expert teams from the National Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna, have been summoned to conduct a thorough technical evaluation and safety assessment of the bridge.
The Jadopur-Mangalpur Mahasetu, spanning nearly 1.92 km, plays a crucial role in linking Gopalganj and Bettiah, significantly reducing travel distance by approximately 120 km. It serves as a vital connection for numerous villages in the riverine Diara regions. Notably, the bridge encountered issues in 2020 due to flooding and river pressure, resulting in cracks in the approach road, which were subsequently repaired.
Constructed at a cost of around Rs 550 crore, the bridge was inaugurated during 2015–16 by former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The emergence of significant structural concerns within a decade of its opening has raised doubts regarding construction quality, long-term maintenance, and monitoring of infrastructure projects in the state. The recent incident follows the collapse of a section of the Vikramshila Bridge in Bhagalpur district, which drew criticism towards the Bihar government.
