The Supreme Court of India on Monday has agreed to consider a plea concerning the safety and longevity of bridges in Bihar, following several recent collapses.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had previously requested responses from the Bihar government and the National Highway Authorities of India regarding this public interest litigation during a hearing on July 29.
During Monday’s proceedings, advocate Brajesh Singh, representing the petitioner, brought the matter forward. The CJI acknowledged the request and inquired whether his office had received an email about the issue.
The PIL calls for a comprehensive structural audit of bridges in Bihar and the formation of an expert panel to evaluate which structures need strengthening or demolition based on their findings.
Alongside the state government and NHAI, notices have also been issued to senior officials from the road construction department and the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited.
This concern arises in light of ten reported bridge collapses in the districts of Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj during the months of May, June, and July. Many attribute these incidents to heavy rainfall, which is common during Bihar’s monsoon season.
The PIL emphasizes the urgent need for monitoring and assessment, particularly as the state is highly susceptible to floods.
Bihar is identified as the most flood-prone state in India, with approximately 68,800 square kilometers—73.06% of its total area experiencing flood impacts. The petitioner stressed, “Hence, such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake.”
He urged the court’s immediate intervention, noting that even under-construction bridges have collapsed.
In response to the alarming frequency of bridge failures, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed both the road construction and rural works departments to survey all aging bridges across the state and identify those requiring urgent repairs.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for public safety and infrastructure management in Bihar, particularly as the region continues to face severe weather conditions during the monsoon.
The call for an expert panel and real-time monitoring systems, in line with guidelines set by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, underscores the need for a proactive approach to safeguard against future incidents.
