Patna: Against the backdrop of 10 bridge collapses in various districts over the past 16 days, the rural works department (RWD) has sprung into action. RWD minister Ashok Choudhary on Thursday said FIRs would be lodged against contractors for misappropriation of funds, alongside disciplinary actions targeting implicated departmental engineers.
The crackdown was prompted by a troubling sequence of bridge collapses, starting with the Bakra river bridge in Araria on June 18.
Simultaneously, the RWD is crafting a comprehensive bridge maintenance policy, addressing critical issues such as prohibiting earth cutting near bridge structures and their supports, a measure not previously formalized unlike the road construction department (RCD)’s existing policies. Following a directive from chief minister Nitish Kumar, a high-level review convened involving RCD and RWD officials, prompting further directives and oversight measures.
“CM Nitish Kumar emphasized the urgent need for a robust road maintenance policy under the RWD,” Choudhary said. “This policy aims to halt unauthorized earth cutting near bridges, a practice weakening bridge foundations and contributing significantly to recent collapses,” he added, underscoring additional factors like river course changes and erosion. Moreover, the RWD will enhance its oversight by compiling a status report on bridges older than 15 years requiring reconstruction and identifying newer structures needing immediate repairs. Chaudhary emphasized the involvement of key officials in formulating this policy, including chief secretary Brijesh Mehrotra and senior ACSs from RCD and RWD.
Regarding the 10 bridge collapses across Araria (1), Siwan (3), Kishanganj (2), Madhubani (1), East Champaran (1), and Saran (2) districts, Choudhary acknowledged the involvement of departmental lapses in the construction of the Araria bridge. “The RWD suspects departmental involvement in the poor construction of the Araria bridge,” he said, citing changes in the Bakra river’s course necessitating additional spans. “Technically, the Araria bridge was still under construction and not yet handed over to the department,” he said.

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