Third Time's Not The Charm: Bihar Bridge Collapses 9 Years Into Construction | WATCH

A section of the under-construction Sultanganj-Aguwani Ghat bridge in Bihar collapsed into the Ganga River, raising serious concerns about the project's construction quality and alignment.

Despite no reported injuries, this incident marks the third collapse involving the bridge, which has been under construction for nearly nine years.

Photo Credit: PTI Video

The latest collapse, captured on video by eyewitnesses and widely shared on social media, adds to the scrutiny of SK Singla Construction Pvt. Ltd., the company responsible for the project.

The bridge was envisioned as a key infrastructure link by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, intended to connect Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District with Aguwani Ghat in Khagaria District, easing travel between Bhagalpur and Jharkhand and alleviating traffic on the Vikramshila Bridge.

Previous collapses, including one on June 4, 2023, between pillars 10 and 12 on the Khagaria side and another on June 30, 2022, on the Bhagalpur side, have already sparked widespread criticism.

The Bihar government penalised the construction company and mandated that the bridge be rebuilt at the company's expense.

Experts have suggested that misalignment issues might be contributing to these repeated failures. Despite the Bihar government allocating Rs 1,710 crore to the 3.16 km bridge, it remains incomplete after nearly nine years.

The road construction department has managed to build approach roads on both sides, but the main structure remains unfinished, raising questions about the project's future.