A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court urging the Bihar government to conduct a thorough structural audit of all bridges following recent collapses. Advocate Brajesh Singh emphasizes the necessity to identify and address weak structures to ensure public safety and infrastructure integrity.
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NEW DELHI: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court urging the Bihar government to conduct a comprehensive structural audit of all existing and under-construction bridges in the state. This plea comes in the wake of numerous bridge collapses over the past two years, raising grave concerns about public safety and infrastructure integrity.
The petition, submitted by advocate Brajesh Singh, underscores the urgent need for this audit. It aims to identify weak structures that require either demolition or retrofitting to prevent further incidents.
The petition highlights-
“Several bridges, including three major under-construction ones, have collapsed recently in Bihar.”
This alarming trend has prompted the call for immediate action.
Advocate Brajesh Singh brought this critical issue to light on Wednesday, stressing the severe consequences of these bridge collapses. He pointed out that these incidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries, highlighting the dire need for accountability and proactive measures to prevent future tragedies.
Singh emphasized-
“The urgent intervention of this Hon’ble Court is necessary to safeguard lives, given the routine collapse of under-construction bridges before their completion.”
The petition draws attention to the precarious situation in Bihar, which is known as the most flood-prone state in India.
“It is deeply concerning that Bihar, India’s most flood-prone state, faces flood impacts across 68,800 sq. km, accounting for 73.06% of its total geographical area.”
-the petitioner stated.
This exacerbates the impact of bridge collapses, putting a large portion of the population at risk during flood events.
The frequency of these incidents, attributed to government negligence and corrupt practices, has heightened public fear and distrust in the safety of the state’s infrastructure.
The petition asserts-
“Therefore, the frequent occurrence of bridge collapses in Bihar is particularly disastrous, as it puts the lives of people at great risk.”
Given the severity of the situation, the petition calls for an immediate and thorough audit of all bridges. This audit would involve detailed inspections and assessments to ensure structural integrity and public safety. The goal is to prevent future collapses and protect the lives of Bihar’s residents.
Singh has approached the Supreme Court, urging it to mandate the Bihar Government to implement a real-time monitoring system for both existing and new bridges. This plea is based on guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, on March 4, 2024.
These guidelines emphasize the necessity of using sensors for real-time health monitoring of bridges, particularly those under National Highways and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and should also be applied to state-level bridges.
“The petitioner has also requested the issuance of directions to Bihar, specifically, to establish an efficient permanent body through legislation or executive order. This body would consist of high-level experts to monitor continuously all existing and under-construction bridges in Bihar and maintain a comprehensive database on their condition.”
– the petition stated.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Singh brings to light the alarming frequency of bridge collapses in Bihar, particularly river bridges in districts such as Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, and Kishanganj. The petition underscores the dire need for immediate and effective measures to ensure the structural integrity of these infrastructures. Given Bihar’s susceptibility to heavy flooding, the importance of maintaining safe and functional bridges cannot be overstated.
Singh’s petition emphasizes that without proactive measures, the state risks facing further tragic incidents involving loss of life and property. The call for action aims to prevent such disasters and protect the lives of Bihar’s residents.
The proposed real-time monitoring system involves the installation of advanced sensors to continuously assess the health of bridge structures. These sensors would provide real-time data, enabling timely interventions and maintenance to prevent potential failures. This approach aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ guidelines and represents a crucial step towards modernizing infrastructure management in Bihar.
In his petition, Singh highlights the necessity of establishing a permanent body of high-level experts dedicated to bridge monitoring. This body, whether formed through legislation or executive order, would be responsible for overseeing the health of all bridges, both existing and under construction, across the state. Additionally, it would maintain a comprehensive database to track the condition and maintenance needs of these structures.
The PIL enumerates several instances of bridge collapses that have caused significant disruptions and posed serious risks to public safety. By documenting these incidents, Singh aims to illustrate the urgent need for reform and the implementation of advanced monitoring systems. The proposed measures are designed to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies and to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of Bihar’s bridge infrastructure.
