Heavy Rains Bring Down Under-Construction Bridge, Echoing Recent Bihar Incident
A newly built bridge in Giridih district succumbed to monsoon rains, sparking worries about infrastructure quality and safety standards in Jharkhand.
GIRIDIH – An under-construction bridge connecting Dumritola and Kariphari villages on the Fatehpur Bhelwaghati road in Giridih district collapsed during heavy rainfall, disrupting local connectivity plans.
The Rs 5.50 crore project, overseen by the Path Nirman Department, Path Division Giridih, and executed by Om Namah Shivay Construction, failed to withstand its first encounter with monsoon rains.
Eyewitnesses reported that one pillar of the bridge began to lean around 8 PM amid intense precipitation.
Shortly after, residents were startled by a loud crash as a girder broke and plummeted into the Arga river below.
This incident bears a striking resemblance to a recent bridge collapse in neighboring Bihar, raising alarm about the structural integrity of infrastructure projects in the region.
"We were shocked to see the bridge give way so easily. It was supposed to improve our lives, not endanger them," said Ram Kumar, a local farmer who witnessed the collapse.
The bridge was a crucial component of plans to enhance transportation infrastructure in the area, its failure leaving many villages isolated.
This event has reignited concerns about construction quality and adherence to safety protocols in Jharkhand’s infrastructure development.
A similar incident occurred a few years ago when a bridge over the Kanchi River in Bundu block, Ranchi, collapsed, affecting dozens of villages.
Subsequent investigations revealed the use of substandard materials in that project, which was part of the Chief Minister Gram Setu Yojna.
This latest collapse has prompted calls for a thorough review of ongoing infrastructure projects across the state to prevent future incidents.
