The Supreme Court of India has criticised the Bihar government for its inadequate response to recurring bridge collapses, highlighting the reinstatement of suspended officials after public outcry subsided. The court transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on bridge safety to the Patna High Court for regular monitoring, preferably on a monthly basis, to ensure structural and safety audits.
The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, raised concerns about the safety and longevity of bridges, particularly in flood-prone Bihar, where 73% of the geographical area is affected by floods. The plea sought real-time monitoring of bridges and the establishment of an expert panel to assess structural integrity.
Despite the state government’s claim of inspecting 10,000 bridges, the Supreme Court found its response inadequate and emphasised the need for third-party inspections and stricter accountability measures. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed surveys to identify old bridges requiring urgent repairs, but concerns persist over the effectiveness of these measures in addressing systemic issues.
Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited, a Bihar government company founded in 1975 for road and bridge construction, is presently led by BJP’s Nitin Nabin.
Snapshot
- Judicial Criticism:
- The Supreme Court criticised the Bihar government for reinstating suspended officials after public outrage over bridge collapses subsided.
- The court found the state’s counter-affidavit to the PIL inadequate, lacking substantive explanations for the incidents.
- PIL Transferred to Patna High Court:
- The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, sought structural audits and safety measures for Bihar’s bridges.
- The Supreme Court transferred the case to the Patna High Court, directing it to monitor bridge safety measures regularly, preferably on a monthly basis.
- Bridge Collapses and Inspections:
- Ten bridge collapses were reported between May and July 2024 in districts like Siwan, Saran, and Madhubani, with heavy rainfall cited as a contributing factor.
- The Bihar government claimed to have inspected approximately 10,000 bridges but faced criticism for the lack of third-party inspections.
- Environmental Context:
- Bihar’s vulnerability to floods—affecting 73.06% of its geographical area—compounds the risk of bridge failures.
- Recommendations and Government Response:
- The PIL called for real-time monitoring of bridges based on guidelines from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the formation of an expert panel to assess structural integrity.
- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed surveys of old bridges to identify those requiring immediate repairs.
