Patna: The Supreme Court has transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning multiple bridge collapses in Bihar to the Patna High Court. The PIL, filed by advocate Brijesh Singh, sought a structural audit of bridges across the state and the formation of a permanent committee for their maintenance.
During a brief hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar questioned the authorities’ response to such incidents. “Three bridges collapsed during construction, and suspending a few officials is not a sufficient solution,” remarked Justice Kumar.
The court had previously issued notices to the Bihar government, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and other relevant bodies on July 29 last year. On Wednesday, the apex court directed the Patna High Court to oversee the safety and audit of bridges, setting May 14 as the next hearing date.
Bihar Government’s Response
The Bihar government informed the court that it had inspected around 10,000 bridges across the state. However, petitioner Brijesh Singh argued that despite multiple bridge collapses, no third-party inspections had been conducted.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)’s response, the Supreme Court remarked, “The report is lengthy but lacks substantial information.” The court instructed the registry to transfer all case files to the Patna High Court within three weeks.
Bihar’s New Policy for Bridge Maintenance
Meanwhile, Bihar’s Road Construction Minister Nitin Nabin announced that a bridge maintenance policy is in its final stage. The policy aims to ensure timely upkeep and reinforcement of bridges, with real-time monitoring proposed on a monthly basis.
A meeting chaired by the minister on Wednesday included senior officials from the state bridge corporation. The government plans to send the policy for cabinet approval soon.
The minister highlighted that Bihar has over 3,500 bridges, for which ‘health cards’ will be introduced. These digital records will track structural issues such as cracks, waterlogging, and potholes, enabling timely repairs.
To implement the policy effectively, engineers will undergo training, with technical support from IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, IIT Madras, and IIT Patna.
Nabin emphasized that the new policy would extend the lifespan of bridges and improve travel safety. Additionally, a strict ban on heavy vehicle parking on bridges has been enforced. “The NDA government remains committed to Bihar’s infrastructural development,” he added.
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