Sixteen engineers of the water resources department in Bihar have been suspended after 10 bridges collapsed in the last 15 days across the state, a statement by the department said.
Bihar Development Secretary Chaitanya Prasad told reporters the state government is serious about the issue. He said the contractors responsible for building the bridges will be traced and held to account.
The 10th bridge that collapsed in the state was reported from Saran district on Thursday. It was also Saran district's third bridge to fall in a span of 24 hours.
The 10 bridges that collapsed were in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj districts.
"The Chief Minister [Nitish Kumar], after a review meeting on Wednesday, instructed officials to conduct a survey of all old bridges and identify those that require immediate repairs," Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary told reporters, adding investigation is going on.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, alleged 12 bridges have collapsed in Bihar since June 18.
"Twelve bridges have collapsed in Bihar since June 18... Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are silent over these incidents in Bihar. What happened to the claims of good governance and a corruption-free government?" Mr Yadav said in a post on X. "These incidents show how corruption is rampant in every department of the state government," he alleged.
The Bihar road construction department has prepared a bridge maintenance policy and asked the rural works department to finalise its plan as soon as possible.
Rural works department minister Ashok Choudhary criticised Mr Yadav for allegedly doing nothing to remedy the situation when he held this portfolio for over 15 months.
"The RJD leader [Tejashwi Yadav] must remember that he held the portfolio for more than 15 months during the previous mahagathbandhan government. What was he doing then? The previous RJD-led Bihar government and he should be held responsible for this mess," Mr Choudhary said.
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