SC grants final deadline for Bihar’s response on bridge safety amid rising collapse incidents

The Supreme Court of India on Monday provided the Bihar government with its final opportunity to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the safety and structural integrity of bridges across the state. The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, raised concerns about multiple bridge collapses in recent months and the overall safety of infrastructure in Bihar. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar gave the Bihar government six weeks to submit its response, emphasizing that this would be the last chance. The petitioner will be allowed to file a rejoinder four weeks after the authorities submit their replies.

The PIL, filed earlier in July 2024, requested the court to direct the Bihar government and relevant authorities, including the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), to conduct detailed structural audits of all bridges in the state. The petitioners pointed out that Bihar, a flood-prone state, faces particular challenges during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall exacerbates the vulnerability of its infrastructure. The PIL cited several instances of bridge collapses in Bihar, including in districts like Siwan, Saran, and Darbhanga. Between May and July 2024 alone, there were at least ten incidents of bridges collapsing in these districts.

As part of the petition, Singh requested that the court order the formation of an expert panel to evaluate the structural health of existing bridges and recommend whether repairs or demolitions are necessary. The panel would also be tasked with identifying which bridges can be reinforced to handle ongoing traffic and weather conditions. Additionally, the PIL calls for the real-time monitoring of bridges based on parameters set by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which could help track and prevent further structural failures.

The PIL also raised specific concerns about recent bridge collapses, such as a case in Nalanda district where an 18-year-old boy died after falling from a dilapidated bridge. Furthermore, Singh referred to an incident on November 3, 2024, when an under-construction bridge in Darbhanga collapsed. It was reported that the construction company involved was seen clearing debris from the site during the night, raising questions about the transparency of the handling of collapsed infrastructure.

In response to the growing concerns about the state’s infrastructure, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the road construction and rural works departments to conduct a survey of all old bridges in the state. This survey is expected to assess the structural integrity of existing bridges and prioritize those in need of immediate repair or replacement. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for February 15, 2025, to review the progress of the case and consider any further action. The petitioner will have the opportunity to file a rejoinder once the authorities have submitted their responses.