In India's Bihar, a section of the Vikramshila bridge, one of the state's most critical river crossings connecting Bhagalpur to Navgachia, collapsed into the Ganges early on &nbsp;Monday (May 4), prompting authorities to seal the bridge from both ends and divert traffic as engineers and senior officials rushed to the site. The incident occurred around 12:35 AM Monday near Pillar 133, when a slab of the Vikramshila Setu broke off entirely and began sinking into the river below.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bargi-dam-cruise-boat-tragedy-heartbreaking-photo-of-mother-and-son-clinging-to-each-other-fake-jabalpur-collector-says-ai-generated-1777701429547">Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy: Heartbreaking photo of mother and son clinging to each other fake? Jabalpur collector says...</a><h2>What happened? How many killed/injured?</h2>District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chowdhury, as quoted by ABP, confirmed that at 12:35 am, a slab of the Vikramshila Setu started sinking. Local officers acted quickly to evacuate people from the affected stretch. Within 15 minutes of evacuation, the slab fell into the Ganges, he said, adding that no vehicles were on that slab. The swift response prevented what could have been a far more serious disaster.The bridge, which stretches approximately 4.5 kilometres across the Ganges connecting Bhagalpur to Navgachia, was built in 2001 by the UP Bridge Corporation. It serves as the only direct link between Bihar's Bhagalpur district and the Seemanchal region and North Bengal, making it one of the most heavily used crossings in the area.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-india-s-titanic-to-jabalpur-s-bargi-dam-a-dark-timeline-of-country-s-deadliest-boat-tragedies-ss-ramdas-in-pics-1777709915939">From 'India's Titanic' to Jabalpur's Bargi dam: A dark timeline of country's deadliest boat tragedies | In Pics</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Bhagalpur, Bihar: A section between two pillars of the Vikramshila Bridge collapsed into the Ganges River, disrupting traffic. Senior officials are on alert. The bridge has been sealed from the Navgachhia and Bhagalpur sides. <a href="https://t.co/30c9WbxDXs">pic.twitter.com/30c9WbxDXs</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2051065310359568506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Traffic diverted</h2>With the bridge sealed on both sides, traffic has been diverted to alternative routes. Authorities said travellers heading to Bhagalpur can use the Munger crossing in the interim. Executive Engineer Saket Kumar Roshan confirmed that repair work would be undertaken, but noted that the government will have to release funds for the work. Teams of engineers and officials arrived at the site overnight to assess the damage and determine next steps.Collapsing Bihar infrastructure under scrutinyThe collapse has reignited concerns about Bihar's bridge infrastructure, which have been mounting for several years. The Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga Bridge, which has been under construction at a cost of approximately Rs 1,710 crore, has seen multiple partial collapses during the construction phase itself: sections fell in April 2022, June 2023 and August 2024 in three consecutive years.Experts and residents are now pointing to a pattern that suggests systemic failures rather than isolated incidents. They question whether the quality of construction materials used, adherence to technical standards, or the robustness of inspection and monitoring systems is to blame. The fact that a bridge built just 25 years ago has shed a 33-metre section into a major river is being cited as evidence that the problems run deep.&nbsp;

A major section of Bihar’s crucial Vikramshila bridge has collapsed into the Ganges, reviving serious questions over the state’s fragile infrastructure. No deaths were reported, but the near-miss on one of eastern India’s busiest lifelines is already raising tough questions. Scroll down.

In India's Bihar, a section of the Vikramshila bridge, one of the state's most critical river crossings connecting Bhagalpur to Navgachia, collapsed into the Ganges early on Monday (May 4), prompting authorities to seal the bridge from both ends and divert traffic as engineers and senior officials rushed to the site. The incident occurred around 12:35 AM Monday near Pillar 133, when a slab of the Vikramshila Setu broke off entirely and began sinking into the river below. Also read | Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy: Heartbreaking photo of mother and son clinging to each other fake? Jabalpur collector says... What happened? How many killed/injured? District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chowdhury, as quoted by ABP, confirmed that at 12:35 am, a slab of the Vikramshila Setu started sinking. Local officers acted quickly to evacuate people from the affected stretch. Within 15 minutes of evacuation, the slab fell into the Ganges, he said, adding that no vehicles were on that slab. The swift response prevented what could have been a far more serious disaster. The bridge, which stretches approximately 4.5 kilometres across the Ganges connecting Bhagalpur to Navgachia, was built in 2001 by the UP Bridge Corporation. It serves as the only direct link between Bihar's Bhagalpur district and the Seemanchal region and North Bengal, making it one of the most heavily used crossings in the area. Also read | From 'India's Titanic' to Jabalpur's Bargi dam: A dark timeline of country's deadliest boat tragedies | In Pics

A major section of Bihar’s crucial Vikramshila bridge has collapsed into the Ganges, reviving serious questions over the state’s fragile infrastructure. No deaths were reported, but the near-miss on one of eastern India’s busiest lifelines is already raising tough questions. Scroll down.

Midnight terror in Bhagalpur: 33-metre slab of Bihar's Vikramshila Setu plunges into Ganges river; authorities seal vital bridge | Watch

In the last 17 days, nearly 12 bridges have collapsed across&nbsp;the Indian state of Bihar and the most recent&nbsp;one fell on Thursday&nbsp;(July 4) in Saran district. 
&nbsp; 
As per District Magistrate Aman Samir, this is the third bridge collapse which has happened in Saran in just two days.

In the collapse of the 15-year-old bridge in the Gandaki River, no casualties were reported. The bridge connected villages in Saran to the neighbouring Siwan district.&nbsp;

The cause of the bridge collapse is under investigation. However, the officials spoke about the recent desilting work happening in the area.&nbsp;

Among the three bridges in Saran, two were on the Gandak River, which was just a kilometre apart and had collapsed within&nbsp;two hours on Wednesday (July 3).

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jitan-ram-manjhi-who-once-acted-as-nitishs-backup-cm-in-bihar-finds-his-place-in-modi-30-730228">Jitan Ram Manjhi, who once acted as Nitish's backup CM in Bihar, finds his place in Modi 3.0</a>

The officials&nbsp;constructed one of the bridges in 2004 near the Dodh Nath Temple and the other was a British-era structure.

The third bridge, which was a 15-year-old structure built over the Gandaki, had fallen on Thursday (July 4).

The incident occurred a day after a survey of all old bridges in the state was ordered by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar so that those with urgent repairs could be identified.

The chief minister had appealed for improved bridge maintenance policies from both the rural works&nbsp;and road construction departments.&nbsp;

The bridges have also collapsed in Siwan, Chhapra, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts.

<h2>PIL filed in SC for structural audit of all bridges in Bihar</h2>

Advocate Brajesh Singh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court which sought the Bihar government's directions for carrying out a thorough structural audit of all bridges.

The PIL also demanded the&nbsp;constitution of&nbsp;a high-level expert committee for identifying the weak bridges which may need to be strengthened or demolished.

Watch:&nbsp;India: Neet-UG case probe gathers pace

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As per the petition, the collapse of bridges has raised concerns about the bridge infrastructures' safety and reliability in the region, especially taking into account that Bihar is the country's most flood-prone state.

"It is a matter of grave concern that in a state like Bihar, which is the most flood-prone state of India, the total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 sq. km which is 73.06 per cent of the total geographical area. Hence such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake. Therefore the urgent intervention of this Hon'ble Court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its accomplishment collapsed routinely," said the petitioner, in the PIL.

Meanwhile, Bihar Development Secretary Chaitanya Prasad said that 11 engineers of the water resources department were suspended, in the wake of the bridge collapse.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the last 17 days, nearly 12 bridges have collapsed across the Indian state of Bihar and the most recent one fell on Thursday (July 4) in Saran district. As per District Magistrate Aman Samir, this is the third bridge collapse which has happened in Saran in just two days.

In the last 17 days, nearly 12 bridges have collapsed across the Indian state of Bihar and the most recent one fell on Thursday (July 4) in Saran district. As per District Magistrate Aman Samir, this is the third bridge collapse which has happened in Saran in just two days. In the collapse of the 15-year-old bridge in the Gandaki River, no casualties were reported. The bridge connected villages in Saran to the neighbouring Siwan district. The cause of the bridge collapse is under investigation. However, the officials spoke about the recent desilting work happening in the area. Among the three bridges in Saran, two were on the Gandak River, which was just a kilometre apart and had collapsed within two hours on Wednesday (July 3). Also Read: Jitan Ram Manjhi, who once acted as Nitish's backup CM in Bihar, finds his place in Modi 3.0 The officials constructed one of the bridges in 2004 near the Dodh Nath Temple and the other was a British-era structure. The third bridge, which was a 15-year-old structure built over the Gandaki, had fallen on Thursday (July 4). The incident occurred a day after a survey of all old bridges in the state was ordered by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar so that those with urgent repairs could be identified. The chief minister had appealed for improved bridge maintenance policies from both the rural works and road construction departments. The bridges have also collapsed in Siwan, Chhapra, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts. PIL filed in SC for structural audit of all bridges in Bihar Advocate Brajesh Singh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court which sought the Bihar government's directions for carrying out a thorough structural audit of all bridges. The PIL also demanded the constitution of a high-level expert committee for identifying the weak bridges which may need to be strengthened or demolished. Watch: India: Neet-UG case probe gathers pace As per the petition, the collapse of bridges has raised concerns about the bridge infrastructures' safety and reliability in the region, especially taking into account that Bihar is the country's most flood-prone state. "It is a matter of grave concern that in a state like Bihar, which is the most flood-prone state of India, the total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 sq. km which is 73.06 per cent of the total geographical area. Hence such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake. Therefore the urgent intervention of this Hon'ble Court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its accomplishment collapsed routinely," said the petitioner, in the PIL. Meanwhile, Bihar Development Secretary Chaitanya Prasad said that 11 engineers of the water resources department were suspended, in the wake of the bridge collapse. (With inputs from agencies)

Bihar bridge collapse: State's 12th bridge falls in Saran in 17 days; PIL seeks structural audit

An&nbsp;under construction bridge in Bihar's East Champaran district collapsed on Sunday (June 23), making it the second&nbsp;such incident in less than a week.&nbsp;According to authorities, there were no casualties reported in the incident in&nbsp;Motihari's Ghorasahan block.

It is still unknown what exactly led to the bridge to collapse. An investigation by the department has been requested since it is a severe issue. Extra Chief Secretary (ACS) of Bihar's Rural Works Department (RWD), Dipak Kumar Singh, told PTI that "we will take strict action against those found guilty."

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VIDEO | An under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar’s Motihari earlier today. 
 
(Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4">https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4</a>) <a href="https://t.co/eAT0BkU2aR">pic.twitter.com/eAT0BkU2aR</a>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1804778973177557116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“The district administration has already dispatched its senior officials. They have reached the spot. A detailed report is awaited,” Singh added.

Saurabh Jorwal, the District Magistrate (DM), also said that the reason behind the incident was being investigated.

“We have reports that a section of locals initially objected to the construction of some pillars of the bridge. Police are also looking into this matter,” the DM said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-files-petition-in-supreme-court-against-high-courts-stay-on-bail-734384">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal files petition in Supreme Court against High Court's stay on bail</a>

The ₹1.5 crore 16-meter structure was being constructed to link Amwa village in Motihari's Ghorasahan block to other parts of the district. The RWD of the state government was building it over a canal.

The day before, a recently completed bridge in the Siwan area collapsed over a canal. It united the villages of Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="&lt;div class=&quot;videoWrapper trancodeVideo&quot;&gt;&lt;iframe src=&quot;https://wionews.com/videos/india-pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-new-nalanda-university-in-bihar-built-at-cost-of-209-mn-dollars-733230/embed&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; style=&quot;width:100%;max-width:560px;&quot; class=&quot;includeVideo&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; autoplay=1 allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;" hreflang="en">India PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University in Bihar, built at cost of $209 mn dollars</a>

On June 18, another bridge measuring roughly 180 metres in length in the Araria district collapsed.

In recent months, Bihar has witnessed several disasters involving bridges erected across rivers and other&nbsp;water bodies, both large and small. Though no injuries were reported, the event has prompted concerns about the quality of public works.

An under construction bridge in Bihar's East Champaran district collapsed on Sunday (June 23), making it the second such incident in less than a week. According to authorities, there were no casualties reported in the incident in Motihari's Ghorasahan block.

An under construction bridge in Bihar's East Champaran district collapsed on Sunday (June 23), making it the second such incident in less than a week. According to authorities, there were no casualties reported in the incident in Motihari's Ghorasahan block. It is still unknown what exactly led to the bridge to collapse. An investigation by the department has been requested since it is a severe issue. Extra Chief Secretary (ACS) of Bihar's Rural Works Department (RWD), Dipak Kumar Singh, told PTI that "we will take strict action against those found guilty." VIDEO | An under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar’s Motihari earlier today. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/eAT0BkU2aR — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2024 × “The district administration has already dispatched its senior officials. They have reached the spot. A detailed report is awaited,” Singh added. Saurabh Jorwal, the District Magistrate (DM), also said that the reason behind the incident was being investigated. “We have reports that a section of locals initially objected to the construction of some pillars of the bridge. Police are also looking into this matter,” the DM said. Also read: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal files petition in Supreme Court against High Court's stay on bail The ₹1.5 crore 16-meter structure was being constructed to link Amwa village in Motihari's Ghorasahan block to other parts of the district. The RWD of the state government was building it over a canal. The day before, a recently completed bridge in the Siwan area collapsed over a canal. It united the villages of Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks. Watch | India PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University in Bihar, built at cost of $209 mn dollars On June 18, another bridge measuring roughly 180 metres in length in the Araria district collapsed. In recent months, Bihar has witnessed several disasters involving bridges erected across rivers and other water bodies, both large and small. Though no injuries were reported, the event has prompted concerns about the quality of public works.

Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihar, second incident in a week

One person died and nine others were injured after a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Indian state of Bihar on Friday (Mar 22) morning. The accident occurred in Bihar's Supaul near Maricha between Bheja-Bakaur, Supaul's District Magistrate (DM) Kaushal Kumar told the news agency ANI.

One person died and nine others were injured after a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Indian state of Bihar on Friday (Mar 22) morning. The accident occurred in Bihar's Supaul near Maricha between Bheja-Bakaur, Supaul's District Magistrate (DM) Kaushal Kumar told the news agency ANI. The injured are undergoing treatment at a hospital. Here's a look at the video: #UPDATE | Supaul, Bihar: One died and nine injured as a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed near Maricha between Bheja-Bakaur: Supaul DM Kaushal Kumar https://t.co/DhsS9ZCCws — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024 × A report by the news agency PTI, meanwhile, said that several workers are trapped under the debris, and rescue work is underway. Scores of people gathered at the incident site. Further details are awaited. (With inputs from agencies)

One dead, nine injured after portion of under-construction bridge collapses in India's Bihar

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Midnight terror in Bhagalpur: 33-metre slab of Bihar's Vikramshila Setu plunges into Ganges river; authorities seal vital bridge | Watch

Bihar bridge collapse: State's 12th bridge falls in Saran in 17 days; PIL seeks structural audit

Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihar, second incident in a week

One dead, nine injured after portion of under-construction bridge collapses in India's Bihar