SC notes Bihar bridge collapse: Suspended officers reinstated

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the Bihar government, noting that officials suspended after bridge collapses were reinstated once public outrage subsided. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar made this remark while transferring a PIL on Bihar’s bridge safety concerns to the Patna High Court.

The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, highlighted the recent collapse of multiple bridges in the state and raised concerns over their safety and durability. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's lengthy response, stating it listed schemes and policies without addressing the causes of these structural failures.

The bench instructed the Patna High Court to monitor the issue, preferably on a monthly basis, ensuring proper structural and safety audits of bridges. It directed the petitioner, state authorities, and the NHAI to appear before the high court on May 14 for further proceedings.

During the hearing, Bihar's government stated it had inspected nearly 10,000 bridges. The court, however, noted that past directives had not led to substantial improvements.

The PIL urged the formation of an expert panel to assess bridge conditions and recommend strengthening or demolishing unsafe structures. Reports indicate that between May and July 2023, ten bridges collapsed across Bihar due to factors like heavy rainfall.

Given Bihar’s vulnerability to floods, the plea emphasized the urgent need for real-time monitoring of bridges. The state government has since ordered a survey of all old bridges to identify those requiring immediate repairs.