Purnia, Aug 29: A four-span box bridge built at a cost of around ₹21 lakh over the Sora River in Bihar’s Purnia district has collapsed within two years of its construction, prompting the district administration to order an investigation following allegations of poor construction quality.
The damaged bridge is located at Belwa Ghat in Mohini Panchayat under Kasba block and serves as an important link for residents of several nearby villages and panchayats.
The middle portion of the bridge has sunk, disrupting movement along the route. Heavy vehicle traffic has been restricted as a precautionary measure.
Villagers have alleged that substandard construction material was used and that the bridge did not receive adequate iron reinforcement. They claimed that while iron rods were used in the pillars on both sides, sufficient reinforcement was allegedly not provided in the middle section.
Residents also alleged that they had raised concerns about the quality of construction during the work, but their objections were ignored. They further claimed that proper earth filling and safety features were not provided and that a construction information board was also missing.
The route is used by a large number of local residents, including children, and villagers have expressed concern over the risk of accidents. They have demanded immediate repair of the bridge and a thorough investigation into the construction work.
Taking cognisance of the collapse, Purnia District Magistrate Anshul Kumar directed DRDA Director Amarendra Singh and a team of engineers to inspect the site.
“The bridge is damaged, with the middle portion sinking. For safety reasons, heavy vehicle traffic on the bridge has been halted,” Singh said.
“The cause of the bridge damage is currently being investigated,” he added.
The administration is examining whether the bridge suffered due to construction-related deficiencies or other factors. Further action will be taken after the investigation report.
Meanwhile, Mohini Panchayat head Shyam Sundar denied allegations of corruption or construction defects.
“The bridge collapse was not due to construction defects, but rather due to excessive water pressure in the Sora River,” Sundar claimed.
The competing claims have put the spotlight on the quality and durability of the ₹21-lakh infrastructure project. The ongoing administrative and engineering inquiry is expected to establish the actual cause of the collapse and determine whether any irregularities occurred during construction.
