Claims of another bridge collapse in Bihar dismissed as "makeshift structure"

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed on Sunday that another bridge in Bihar had collapsed, sharing a video of the incident on his X handle. However, a local official refuted the claim, stating that the structure in question was a makeshift one that had been washed away due to heavy rainfall.

The video, reportedly from East Champaran district, shows villagers attributing the incident to the use of substandard materials in a village within the Madhuban block. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by PTI.

District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal clarified that the structure was neither a bridge nor a causeway. "A sewage line runs through Lohargawan village, with parts of it uncovered. A few years ago, a decision was made at the Panchayat level to construct a structure over the drain to facilitate easier crossing," he explained over the phone to PTI.

Jorwal further described the structure as a temporary covering over the drain, no more than a few feet long. "As with many unregulated constructions, mud was used, which washed away during heavy rains. We are investigating the matter and will take necessary action at our level," he added.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of over a dozen bridge and causeway collapses in various Bihar districts in recent weeks, leading to the suspension of at least 15 engineers. Despite the frequency of these mishaps, no casualties have been reported.

The spate of bridge collapses has fueled a political dispute, with Tejashwi Yadav criticizing the Nitish Kumar government. In response, the ruling NDA has shifted the blame onto the RJD, noting that the Rural Works portfolio was under their control until January of this year when the party was ousted from power.