Patna, May 4: The recent collapse of the Vikramshila Bridge, a crucial link connecting Bhagalpur to North Bihar, has ignited a political storm in the state. Following the incident late Sunday night, both the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress party have targeted the NDA government, citing corruption as a key issue.
Tejashwi Yadav, the national executive president of RJD, accused the government of negligence, stating that over 100 bridges have collapsed in Bihar in the past two years. He emphasized that this reflects the state’s rampant corruption. In a post on social media platform ‘X’, he remarked, “Now, thanks to the corrupt NDA government, the Vikramshila Bridge has succumbed to the Ganges. Is there any greater evidence of corruption?”
Yadav noted that his party had warned the government about the potential for the bridge to collapse just a month prior. Fortunately, at the time of the collapse, many vehicles were on the bridge, but no casualties occurred, which he attributed to divine intervention.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Ram, president of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee, expressed strong disapproval of the state government’s handling of the situation. He held the government fully responsible for the incident, labeling it a result of gross negligence and widespread corruption.
Ram stated that the maintenance and upkeep of the Vikramshila Bridge fall entirely under the state’s jurisdiction, and the government’s failure to monitor and repair the bridge has led to its current state. He highlighted the bridge’s significance, not only for Bhagalpur but also for the entire Seemanchal and Kosi regions, describing it as a lifeline for millions.
He further criticized the government for not conducting regular inspections and quality checks, which has now resulted in significant disruption for the public. The bridge, constructed at a cost of millions, collapsing in this manner is alarming, he added.
Ram accused the state of rampant corruption disguised as development work. The bridge’s structural failure serves as evidence of overlooked quality in construction, leading to its premature damage. He called for a high-level investigation into the incident, demanding strict action against any officials, engineers, or contractors found culpable. Additionally, he urged the government to expedite repairs to ensure the safety of public transit.
The incident occurred around 12:30 AM on Sunday when subsidence was first detected near pole number 133, prompting immediate traffic halts. Shortly thereafter, a section of the bridge collapsed entirely.
Leave a Comment