The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Bihar government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concerning a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the frequent collapses of bridges in Bihar. The PIL, prompted by ten recent bridge failures in various districts of the state, calls for urgent action to ensure the structural integrity and safety of such infrastructure.
The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and including Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has asked for a detailed response from multiple stakeholders, including Bihar’s Road Construction Department and the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd. The PIL was filed by advocate Brajesh Singh, who highlighted the critical condition of bridges in a state severely affected by monsoonal rains and frequent flooding.
The petitioner has advocated for a comprehensive structural audit of all bridges and the establishment of a high-level expert panel to decide whether the bridges should be strengthened or demolished based on the audit results. Additionally, the PIL seeks the implementation of real-time monitoring systems in accordance with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways standards.
Recent incidents in districts such as Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj have raised significant concerns over the infrastructure’s resilience, particularly during the heavy rainfall season. The state, known as one of the most flood-prone in India, sees 73.06% of its geographical area susceptible to flooding, exacerbating the risk and impact of such infrastructure failures.
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In response to the recurring bridge failures, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already instructed relevant departments to survey all old bridges for immediate repair necessities. This directive aligns with the demands of the PIL, underscoring the state’s proactive steps towards mitigating further disasters.
