Patna: Heads have started to roll, albeit a bit belatedly, after a series of bridge collapses in Bihar.
Sixteen engineers of the state’s Water Resources department have been suspended in the wake of 10 bridges coming down over the past fortnight in Bihar.
Bihar Development secretary Chaitanya Prasad told newspersons the state government has taken a serious view on the issue of so many bridge mishaps in such a short span of time.
Prasad assured that the contractors responsible for building the affected bridges will be traced and held to account.
The government’s action comes a day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sought urgent inspection of all under-construction and old bridges and a report within two weeks.
The CM meant business after a 10th bridge – third in Saran district in two days — collapsed in the state since June 18.
Besides Saran, bridges have also fallen in Kishanganj, Araria, East Champaran, Madhubani and Siwan amid monsoon rains.
Also Read: As Bridges Fall Like Nine Pins In Bihar, A Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Urgent Intervention
The multiple collapses have triggered a political storm in Bihar, with the Nitish-headed alliance government trading charges with the Opposition over who should be held accountable.
Building Construction minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary blamed former deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav for not putting in place a foolproof bridge maintenance policy when he headed the Road Construction and Building Construction ministries. Tejashwi countered the charge by saying it was a case of “pot calling the kettle black”.
Tejashwi went a step further and alleged that 12 bridges – not 10 — have collapsed in the last two weeks.
“Twelve bridges have collapsed in Bihar since June 18… Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are silent over these incidents in Bihar. What happened to the claims of good governance and a corruption-free government? These incidents show how corruption is rampant in every department of the state government,” Tejashwi posted on X.