The Bihar government has made a huge step towards speedy repair and maintenance of the state’s important bridges, including the damaged Vikramshila Setu at Bhagalpur. To avoid any delay in quick repairs in times of emergencies, the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation has formed a panel of 55 approved agencies that can provide technical and construction assistance immediately when needed.
The decision is made following the recent structural damage to the Vikramshila Setu, which was causing inconvenience to thousands of commuters and disrupting transport. The experts found that the long tender processes, arranging materials, machines and engineers are among the reasons for the delay of the bridge repair projects. The new panel system will enable authorities to assign work rapidly without having to wait for fresh approvals in the event of an emergency.
Vikramshila Setu is one of the most significant bridges of Bihar, as it is constructed over the Ganga River and is the connecting link between Bhagalpur and some districts of north and north-eastern Bihar. The bridge has become an important asset for transportation and trade, as well as for everyday use by people who commute from one region to another, like Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa, etc.
In recent times, structural issues were reported on the bridge, such as cracks in slabs and expansion joints, leading to a temporary closure of some parts of the bridge. The accident caused deathlocks and jammed traffic jams in almost 16 districts.
The Bihar government, on its part, hastened the repair process and also asked for technical assistance from agencies such as the Border Roads Organization (BRO). Some temporary works have been carried out, such as the Bailey bridge, to facilitate movement and minimize disruption for commuters.
The newly created 55-agency panel will help in the provision of immediate support in the event of a bridge damage or an emergency maintenance need, officials said. Such agencies will be helpful in structural inspection, provision of construction materials, supply of construction machines, technical consultations, and hasty repair operations.
The government is confident that the project will have a major impact on the infrastructure management system in Bihar, thereby cutting bridge restoration time. Authorities also said that they will “strengthen” regular inspections and preventive maintenance to prevent serious incidents from occurring in the future.
The decision, welcomed by infrastructure experts, is needed in states that experience high traffic volumes and ageing bridge infrastructure, they said. The government is targeting to enhance public safety and seamless transportation in Bihar by establishing an accelerated maintenance and repair process for several critical bridges in the State.
The Bihar Government has stated that the safety and operation of bridges are a prime concern of the State Government.
