Araria, Bihar: A section of an under-construction bridge over the Bakra River in Araria district collapsed today, causing significant alarm but fortunately no reported injuries. The bridge, intended to facilitate travel between Kursakanta and Sikti, was a Rs 12 crore project that disintegrated before it could be inaugurated.

Visuals from the scene show the concrete structure tilting and eventually giving way, sending debris into the fast-flowing river. Bystanders on the banks watched and recorded the dramatic collapse, as a crowd quickly gathered at the site.

Local MLA Vijay Kumar attributed the collapse to negligence by the construction company, calling for a thorough investigation by the administration. “The bridge has collapsed due to the construction company’s negligence. We demand a detailed investigation,” he told ANI.

Witnesses described the rapid disintegration of the bridge, with the collapsed section washing away almost instantly. In one video, people can be seen standing dangerously close to the edge of the remaining structure, while others gathered beneath it, assessing the damage.

The main span of the bridge, which was over the river, suffered the most damage, while sections built on the riverbanks remained intact.

This incident recalls a similar tragedy in March, when an under-construction bridge in Supaul, Bihar, collapsed, resulting in the death of one person and trapping several others. That bridge, part of a ₹984 crore project over the Kosi River, also saw its construction site turned into a scene of chaos, with urgent rescue operations launched by local authorities and volunteers.

Additionally, the collapse mirrors an earlier incident in Bhagalpur, Bihar, where an under-construction bridge collapse led to political clashes between the state government and the opposition BJP.

These repeated structural failures highlight serious concerns regarding construction practices and oversight in the state, prompting calls for increased scrutiny and accountability in infrastructure projects.