Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Questions Bridge Collapses in Bihar
Gaya (Bihar) [India], June 29: Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi, expressed concerns over the frequent collapse of bridges in Bihar, hinting at a possible conspiracy. He questioned the timing and quality of materials used in the construction of these bridges.
Manjhi suggested that these incidents might be deliberate attempts to damage the government’s reputation. He stated, “These things are being done on purpose to tarnish the image of the government… Bridges are collapsing continuously, I think this is happening on purpose.”
In the last nine days, five bridges have collapsed in Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhubani districts. The first incident was reported on June 18 in Araria, and the latest one occurred in Madhubani.
The government is taking strict measures against the contractors and engineers responsible for the collapsed bridges. Manjhi assured, “The government is taking strict action against the contractors and engineers of the collapsed bridges. The government will make sure that this does not happen again.”
On June 22, a bridge over the Gandak River in Siwan, approximately 40-45 years old, fell. On June 23, a bridge under construction in East Champaran, costing around Rs 1.5 crore, collapsed, with locals blaming the use of substandard materials.
Earlier this month, on June 18, a newly constructed bridge over the Bakra river in Pararia village of Bihar’s Araria district collapsed before its inauguration. A video showed the bridge crumbling within seconds.
Meanwhile, the Office of Nitin Gadkari clarified that the collapsed bridge in Araria was not constructed under the Central Road Transport Ministry but under the Rural Development Ministry of the Bihar Government.
Congress party’s Srinivas BV criticized the Bihar government, stating, “The bridge of the double engine government was washed away in water even before its inauguration.”
Last year, a portion of a temporary bridge built on River Ganga in the Vaishali district was partly washed away by strong winds. The temporary bridge connected Raghopur to the Vaishali District Headquarters.
