In a significant development, the Supreme Court has transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the safety and durability of bridges in Bihar to the Patna High Court. This decision comes after multiple bridge collapses in the state raised serious concerns about their structural integrity.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, presiding over the matter, instructed the Patna High Court to oversee and monitor the actions taken for structural and safety audits of the bridges on a monthly basis. The bench emphasized the critical nature of these audits in ensuring the safety of the public.
The PIL was initiated by lawyer Brajesh Singh, who has been vocal about the deteriorating condition of bridges in Bihar, some of which have led to tragic incidents in the past. Singh, along with state authorities and representatives from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), has been summoned to appear before the high court on May 14 to set a date for future hearings.
During a brief session, the state government reported to the court that approximately 10,000 bridges have been inspected to assess their current condition. “We have gone through the counter-affidavit. The details provided by the state authorities about their ongoing efforts have led us to transfer the case to Patna,” the bench noted.
This legal move follows the Supreme Court’s directive on November 18 of the previous year, granting the last opportunity for the Bihar government to respond to the PIL. Singh had also requested the court’s permission to include various news reports and additional documents that highlight the poor state of Bihar’s bridges.
The PIL seeks not only a thorough structural audit but also the establishment of an expert panel to determine which bridges need reinforcement or demolition based on the audit findings. Notices were previously issued to several high-ranking officials within Bihar’s road construction and rural works departments, reflecting the high stakes of this infrastructure issue.
Bihar, known as India’s most flood-prone state, faces a unique challenge with its bridges, especially during the monsoon season when heavy rains and floods are prevalent. The PIL underscores the urgency of addressing these risks to prevent further disasters and ensure the safety of the state’s residents.
