Supreme Court Seeks Bihar's Response on Bridge Safety After Recent Collapses

The Supreme Court has requested responses from the Bihar government and the NHAI regarding a PIL on the safety and longevity of bridges after several recent collapses. The petition calls for structural audits and setting up an expert panel for monitoring. Ten bridge collapses were reported recently, raising safety concerns.

The Supreme Court on Monday demanded responses from the Bihar government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted safety concerns following multiple bridge collapses in the state.

A bench featuring Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notices to the state government and associated agencies. The PIL calls for an urgent structural audit and the formation of an expert panel to assess whether bridges need strengthening or complete demolition.

The court's notice also extends to senior officials from Bihar's Road Construction Department and rural works department. Recent reports indicate ten bridge collapses in districts like Siwan, Saran, and Madhubani over the past month, often attributed to heavy rainfall.

Advocate Brajesh Singh, who filed the PIL, stressed the severity of the issue given Bihar's flood-prone status, noting that over 73% of the state's geographical area is at risk of flooding.

The petition urges real-time bridge monitoring using Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways parameters. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already mandated surveys of old bridges for immediate repairs.