The Supreme Court on Monday issued a final warning to the Bihar government, granting it one last chance to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questions the safety and durability of bridges in the state. This decision comes after several recent bridge collapses raised alarms over structural integrity. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, set a six-week deadline for the state’s response, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, seeks to address the precarious condition of bridges in Bihar, a state plagued by frequent infrastructure failures. This legal action was prompted by numerous incidents, including a tragic event in Nalanda district where an 18-year-old boy lost his life due to a dilapidated bridge. The petitioner has also highlighted a concerning episode in Darbhanga district, where an under-construction bridge recently collapsed, allegedly leading to covert debris removal activities by the involved company.
Chief Justice Khanna declared, “The Bihar government is granted six weeks to file the response. This is the last opportunity,” signaling the court’s diminishing patience with delayed governmental action. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 15, 2025, and expects the petitioner to file a rejoinder within four weeks following the authorities’ submissions.
Singh’s PIL not only reports on these distressing bridge failures but also pushes for a comprehensive structural audit and the formation of an expert panel to evaluate which bridges need reinforcement or demolition. The Supreme Court had previously, on July 29, demanded responses from various authorities including the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the road construction department, Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited, and others, underscoring the widespread concern over public safety.
The repeated incidents in districts like Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj, particularly during the monsoon season, underscore the urgency of this issue. Singh argues for real-time monitoring of bridges according to standards set by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, noting that Bihar’s status as India’s most flood-prone state exacerbates the risk to its residents.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a thorough survey of all old bridges in the state to identify those requiring immediate repairs. This directive aligns with the PIL’s call for decisive action to prevent further disasters and ensure the safety of the public.
