Plea in Supreme Court seeks structural audit of Bihar’s bridges

A lawyer has moved the Supreme Court highlighting over 10 separate incidents of bridge collapses across Bihar since 2022 while seeking a structural audit of recently completed, under-construction and old bridges in the State.

The petition, filed by advocate Brajesh Singh, urged the court to set up an expert committee to identify unsafe bridges in the State

Mr. Singh refers to bridges which have collapsed in districts of Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts recently, possibly due to heavy rains.

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The petitioners pointed out that the issue was grave as Bihar was a flood-prone State.

“The total flood-affected area in the State is 68,800 square km which is 73.06% of its total geographical area… Hence, such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake,” the petition said.