An under-construction Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) bridge over the Ghoghari River collapsed during casting in Gangwa village, Gopalganj district, Bihar. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported. The 29-meter-long bridge was being built at a cost of Rs 2.89 crore.
The collapse occurred while casting work was in progress, with no workers harmed in the incident. The SHO of Sidhwalia police station confirmed the mishap, attributing it to water not being completely removed from the river before construction began. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud noise during casting, leading to a sudden cave-in of a portion of the bridge slab.
Villagers alleged the use of substandard construction materials and weak reinforcement bars, contributing to the collapse. They have raised concerns about the construction agency and officials’ roles, demanding a thorough technical investigation. Administrative officials and engineering teams have visited the site to evaluate the damage, with construction work paused pending further notice.
Residents have expressed worries over construction quality, monitoring, and safety standards, emphasizing the need for stricter supervision and adherence to engineering standards to prevent future incidents. The collapse has sparked discussions in the district, highlighting the importance of ensuring structural integrity in infrastructure projects.
