The Patna district administration has initiated an investigation into the collapse of an under-construction bridge on the city’s outskirts, which occurred in Dhebra village under the Shahpur police station area. Two laborers were trapped under the debris during the incident, but both were successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. While one worker is in critical condition, the other sustained minor injuries.
Preliminary information indicates that the bridge, intended to link Vijay Singh Path to Dhibra, collapsed unexpectedly during construction. Rescue efforts, involving local residents and heavy machinery like a JCB, were promptly conducted to extricate the trapped laborers from the rubble.
The incident has highlighted concerns regarding infrastructure safety in the state, with local residents alleging significant irregularities in the construction process. Claims suggest that the bridge lacked proper foundation and pillars, and substandard materials were utilized. Villagers also raised issues about insufficient or missing essential reinforcements like steel bars, casting doubts on compliance with safety standards.
Authorities have promised a thorough inquiry to ascertain the precise cause of the collapse and assign responsibility accordingly. Subsequent actions will be taken based on the probe’s outcomes. Residents have expressed worries about other ongoing infrastructure projects in the vicinity, particularly citing the simultaneous construction of two similar culverts. Concerns have been raised as one culvert has already collapsed, while the second is reportedly being built using identical methods.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who are demanding stringent measures against the contractor and officials overseeing the project. The ongoing investigation will encompass all construction process aspects, including negligence allegations and the use of substandard materials.
