2000 lives lost in Gandhi bridge since 1982
Patna, May 12: The six-km-long Mahatma Gandhi Setu over the Ganges, Asia's longest river bridge, has turned out to be a major death trap as more than 2000 people had lost their lives since 1982.
Around 100 accidents had taken place on the bridge, the lifeline between North and South Bihar, since it was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
As a result of poor maintenance, not only big holes had started appearing in different points along the bridge over the past few years but cracks had also developed in the canteliver making it increasingly dangerous for the commuters.
Though the Bihar government had prepared a blueprint for the overhauling of the bridge at a cost of Rs 54 crore and sent its proposal to the Centre last year for allocation of fund, the Union Government had agreed to release only Rs six crore for the purpose which by no account was sufficient, claimed official sources here.
The state government had decided to raise fund from its own resources for the project and float a global tender inviting internationally reputed agencies for a thorough renovation of the dilapidated bridge soon.
But the process was yet to take off formally, leaving the fate of the commuters at the mercy of the Almighty.
UNI