India
Tejashwi claims another bridge collapses in Bihar, official says makeshift structure damaged | India News – Times of India
MOTIHARI: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed on Sunday that another bridge in Bihar has collapsed, though an official concerned said it was a makeshift structure that was washed away by heavy rains. Yadav, leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, shared a video of the incident that took place in East Champaran District.
The clip shows people blaming the use of fake material for the incident in a village under the Madhuban Block.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said he was aware of the incident but claimed it was “not a bridge, not even an elevated road”.
“A drain pipe passes through Lohargawan village. Some parts of it have been exposed. As per the information we have, a few years ago, a decision was made at the Panchayat level to put up a structure over the drain to help people cross it without difficulty,” the DM told PTI over the phone.
According to him, the drain was covered with a makeshift structure no more than a few meters long.
“As is the case with such unregulated works, mud was used and hence it was washed away when heavy rains lashed the area. Nevertheless, we are investigating the matter and will do what is necessary at our level,” the district magistrate added.
The incident came against the backdrop of collapse of over a dozen bridges and connecting roads in various districts of Bihar in recent weeks, prompting the authorities to suspend at least 15 engineers, even though no casualties have been reported in such accidents.
The bridge collapse incident has also led to a political fight, with Yadav targeting the Nitish Kumar government but the ruling NDA shifting the blame to the RJD, pointing out that the rural affairs portfolio belonged to the party until it was ousted in January this year.
The clip shows people blaming the use of fake material for the incident in a village under the Madhuban Block.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said he was aware of the incident but claimed it was “not a bridge, not even an elevated road”.
“A drain pipe passes through Lohargawan village. Some parts of it have been exposed. As per the information we have, a few years ago, a decision was made at the Panchayat level to put up a structure over the drain to help people cross it without difficulty,” the DM told PTI over the phone.
According to him, the drain was covered with a makeshift structure no more than a few meters long.
“As is the case with such unregulated works, mud was used and hence it was washed away when heavy rains lashed the area. Nevertheless, we are investigating the matter and will do what is necessary at our level,” the district magistrate added.
The incident came against the backdrop of collapse of over a dozen bridges and connecting roads in various districts of Bihar in recent weeks, prompting the authorities to suspend at least 15 engineers, even though no casualties have been reported in such accidents.
The bridge collapse incident has also led to a political fight, with Yadav targeting the Nitish Kumar government but the ruling NDA shifting the blame to the RJD, pointing out that the rural affairs portfolio belonged to the party until it was ousted in January this year.
