Oops, They Did It Again! SECOND Bridge Collapse in Bihar, India Raises Concerns About Construction Quality

In a déjà vu moment, the Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga bridge in Bihar's Bhagalpur area has once again collapsed, sending shockwaves through the region. What makes this incident even more alarming is that it's not the first time this bridge has given way. Back in 2020, the very same structure experienced a catastrophic collapse, raising serious doubts about the quality of construction.

The visuals of the recent collapse were widely shared on social media platforms, leaving people questioning the competence of the infrastructure firm responsible for the project. The Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge, which was being built at a staggering cost of ₹1,760 crore, has now become a symbol of repeated construction failures.

Adding fuel to the fire, it has come to light that the company behind this ill-fated bridge, 'SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd', is also the contractor for other major projects, including the Signature bridge in Dwarka and two infra-building projects in Gujarat. This revelation has put the firm under the scanner and raised concerns about the safety and durability of its constructions.

The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, has promptly ordered a probe into the collapse, vowing to take strict action against those responsible for the shoddy work. Expressing his disappointment, he emphasized, "The bridge that collapsed yesterday had collapsed last year also... It is not being constructed correctly, that's why it is collapsing again and again."

Images of the bridge collapse have sparked immediate criticism from the opposition, with calls for an immediate inquiry into the incident. The opposition leaders have raised concerns about corruption and accountability, questioning the government's zero-tolerance policy on corruption and the need for proper supervision and monitoring of construction projects.

The repeat collapse of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge raises serious questions about construction quality, project oversight, and the integrity of the involved parties. It serves as a stark reminder that ensuring proper infrastructure and adhering to strict safety standards are essential for the well-being of the public and the reputation of the construction industry.