A segment of the bridge being constructed over the Kosi River in Bihar, as part of the Bharatmala project at a cost of ₹1200 crores, collapsed in Supaul on Friday morning. The incident resulted in 10 laborers being injured, with one fatality reported. Following the incident, all engineers and laborers from the construction company rushed to the site. However, local residents extended humanitarian assistance by transporting all injured laborers to the hospital using motorcycles.
Earthquake-like Tremors:
The collapse of the bridge segment caused such intense vibrations in the ground that nearby residents mistook it for an earthquake, fleeing their homes in panic. Amidst this chaos, screams of the injured laborers from the construction site were heard, prompting people to rush to the scene. Witnessing several laborers lying injured on the sand due to the impact, locals immediately began ferrying them to the nearby hospital on motorcycles. News of the incident spread like wildfire in the surrounding areas, prompting a large number of people to converge at the construction site. Following the incident, engineers and supervisors from the construction company, along with resting laborers in nearby tents, fled the scene. However, local residents maintained vigilance.
Events of Friday Morning:
The incident occurred near Maricha village in the Sadar police station area. It was reported that on Friday morning, a segment between pillar numbers 153-154 was being placed. During this process, a clip from one corner loosened, causing the segment box to fall. As a result, the segment box collapsed onto the truck transporting it, which was already loaded with another segment box, leading to its collapse as well. Approximately 12 boxes collapsed in total, situated between two pillars.
Broken Crane Pin and Rescue Efforts:
According to reports, the collapse was triggered by the breaking of a pin on the crane. Subsequently, efforts were made to remove the broken pieces of concrete. However, due to the heavy crane’s delay, it could not reach the site for a considerable period. People feared that more laborers might be trapped under the debris.
Work by Two Agencies:
It is known that Transrail Lighting Limited from Bakour is undertaking the work, while Gaiman Engineers and Contractors Private Limited from Madhubani district is constructing the bridge. This bridge, with an approach road of 13.3 kilometers, is being built as part of the alignment of the four-lane road being constructed between Umagava in Madhubani and Tara Peeth in Mahishi (Saharsa) under the Bharatmala project. This construction work is being jointly carried out by two agencies. This bridge is of significant strategic importance as it will connect the northeastern states with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
Construction of 171 Pillars for the Bridge:
A total of 171 pillars are being constructed for this bridge, of which 166 pillars have been completed. Thirty-six pillars are being built from Bakour’s side, and 87 from Bejha’s side. Approach roads of 2.1 kilometers from Bakour and 1 kilometer from Bejha are also being constructed.
Completion Expected This Year:
This mega-bridge, connecting Bakour in Supaul district to Bejha in Madhubani district across the Kosi River, is being joined from both sides by the head of the embankment (eastern and western) constructed by two agencies. Consequently, this bridge will become the longest in the country. The construction of this bridge was supposed to be completed this year, with its inauguration scheduled for 2023, but due to the delay caused by COVID-19, it is now expected to be completed in December 2024. However, the construction work may be further delayed following the incident.
Segment Weight and Construction Commencement:
Project manager Pradeep Kashyap revealed that a total of 14 segment boxes, each weighing 90 tons, were damaged in the incident. Thus, approximately 1260 tons of segments collapsed. The project commenced on February 12, 2020, with an expected completion date in December.
