Bihar bridge collapse: PIL in Patna HC for independent probe; Political blame game continues

A PIL has been submitted to the Patna High Court, requesting an independent investigation into the collapse of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur, Bihar, which occurred on Sunday. In his written petition, Manibhushan Pratap Sengar, the petitioner, requested an impartial investigation instead of a departmental inquiry and demanded appropriate action against SP Singla Company, the construction firm associated with the bridge project. The PIL also asked for recovery of losses of thousands of crores to the exchequer due to the collapse of the bridge.

Amid escalating political tensions surrounding the bridge collapse in Bihar, Tej Pratap Yadav, a minister and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was responsible for the destruction of the bridge.

"The bridge has been demolished by the BJP. We are building the bridge and they are demolishing it," Tej Pratap Yadav told reporters on Monday.


On the other hand, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded an audit of all under-construction bridges in Bihar after the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge collapse.

Blaming the lack of audits, Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said, "This is the second time the bridge has collapsed, this is a conspiracy, what was done when it collapsed the first time? What actions were taken against the company that constructed the bridge? Nitish Kumar is busy uniting the Opposition, forgetting Bihar. If a bridge falls for a second time, then it is a reason to worry...I hope that all bridges under construction should be audited..."

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a probe into the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bhagalpur and asked the officials to identify those responsible for the incident.

Nitish Kumar on Monday instructed officials to take strict action against those responsible for the "poor construction work" of the under-construction bridge over River Ganga.

"The bridge that collapsed yesterday had collapsed last year. I have instructed the authorities concerned to look into the matter seriously. It is not being constructed correctly, that's why it is collapsing again and again. The department will look into it. I have instructed officials to visit the site and action will be taken," CM Nitish Kumar said on Monday.

Inputs from ANI