A section of the Vikramshila Setu bridge in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district collapsed, causing disruptions and inconvenience to the public. The bridge, vital for connecting Bhagalpur and Naugachhia in North and South Bihar, faced a collapse of about 33 meters due to subsidence on the Bhagalpur side. The incident occurred around 12.50 a.m. on Monday when a large slab near Pillar Number 133 fell into the Ganga River, leading to a sudden halt in traffic.
The collapse triggered panic in the area, but prompt action by police and administrative officials prevented a major tragedy. Despite several vehicles being on the bridge at the time, they were safely evacuated before the collapse. Following the incident, Bhagalpur District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary rushed to the scene and declared a complete suspension of vehicular movement on the bridge for public safety.
Barricades have been set up at both ends of the bridge, and a team of experts has been summoned to assess the damage. Traffic is being rerouted through alternative paths under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Pramod Yadav. Commuters traveling between Bhagalpur, Naugachhia, and the Seemanchal region now face longer routes via Munger and Sultanganj due to the bridge closure.
The Vikramshila Setu bridge closure is expected to significantly impact daily commuting and commercial activities in the region. This incident has once again highlighted concerns about infrastructure safety in the state, emphasizing the importance of ensuring robust structures for public welfare.
