The government swung into action after a portion of the 4.7-km-long Vikramshila Setu collapsed late on Sunday night. The bridge serves as a vital lifeline for millions commuting daily between Bhagalpur and Naugachia.
The Executive Engineer, National Highways, Bhagalpur, has been suspended on charges of negligence in maintenance.
A technical team has been sent to Bhagalpur to assess the situation. It includes officials from Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited and experts from IIT Patna and NIT Patna. The team will investigate the cause of the collapse and submit a report.
Meanwhile, the government has started a free steamer service for pedestrians and two-wheelers crossing the river to minimise inconvenience to the public.
Given the gravity of the situation, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary convened a high-level meeting. He directed officials to ensure quick restoration and close monitoring of the situation.
Choudhary said that due to the alertness of the district administration, police, and traffic police, there was no loss of life or property in the incident. He praised the district and police administration of Bhagalpur for their swift response.
He added that officials have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the administration remains fully active so that people do not face any inconvenience. The Chief Minister further said that directions have been issued to ensure alternative transport arrangements immediately. He also directed that restoration work be undertaken after obtaining a technical report from experts to restore traffic on the damaged portion of the bridge.
The incident has also triggered a political row. Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav alleged corruption and accused the NDA government of ignoring earlier warnings. He claimed that more than 100 bridges and culverts have collapsed in Bihar in the past two years.
Reacting strongly, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram blamed the state government. He said the incident reflects gross negligence and poor maintenance. He added that the damage has affected the movement of lakhs of people.