Bihar Minister Dr. Prem Kumar has attributed the recent spate of bridge collapses in the state to the tenure of the former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) government. Kumar stated that only the bridges constructed during the RJD regime are failing, citing a lack of a maintenance policy as the primary reason.
“Bridges built during the RJD tenure are collapsing. They constructed the bridges but made no maintenance policy. We will soon bring a maintenance policy in place. Culprits will not be spared,” Kumar announced. His remarks follow the collapse of another bridge in Saran district on Thursday, marking the twelfth such incident within 17 days.
Over the past fortnight, the collapsing bridges have been located in the districts of Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj. The frequency of these incidents has raised concerns about the structural integrity and maintenance of infrastructure in Bihar.
State Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary assured that thorough investigations are underway and vowed to hold negligent officers accountable. “I am getting each and everything investigated. I have given directions for swift action. I will get a list issued – when was it built, who built it. As per the information we have received, they were built by recommendations of several MLAs. Everything is being investigated. Action will be taken, there is no doubt about it. Action will be taken against negligent officers,” Choudhary said.
Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their silence on the matter. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are completely silent. Are they thinking how to convert this corruption into Jungle Raj?” he posted on social media platform X.
Responding to Yadav’s criticism, Union Minister Lallan Singh pointed out Yadav’s previous role in the government. “Tejaswi Yadav must tell who was the minister of rural development for one-and-a-half years. He must answer whether he was enjoying or he got some work done. Instead of raising questions, he should answer first,” Singh retorted.
