The Sultanganj-Aguwani Ghat bridge, under construction in Bihar, experienced its third collapse on Saturday when a section of the superstructure fell into the Ganga River. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about the bridge’s construction quality and alignment.
The bridge, intended to connect Sultanganj and Aguani Ghat and ease traffic on the Vikramshila Bridge, has faced numerous setbacks despite a Rs 1,710 crore budget. Previous collapses occurred on June 30, 2022, and June 4, 2023, with the latest involving an iron angle superstructure. The construction firm, SK Singla Construction Pvt. Ltd., has not yet commented on the recent collapse.
The Bihar government had already imposed penalties and required the company to rebuild the bridge at their cost. While approach roads totaling 20 km have been completed, the main bridge remains unfinished. Experts suggest misalignment may be contributing to the repeated structural failures, highlighting the urgent need for a thorough review and corrective actions to ensure the bridge’s safety.
Bihar is not for beginners.