Araria, June 19, 2024 — A bridge in Bihar, India, constructed at a cost of Rs 12 crore, collapsed just before its inauguration, as reported by several media outlets including NDTV. The bridge, built over the dry Bakra river in Araria, was awaiting its official opening when a large section of the concrete structure suddenly gave way on Tuesday, sinking into the river below.

Local authorities have pointed fingers at the construction company responsible for the bridge, prompting an official investigation into the incident. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that the bridge was not constructed under the Ministry of Road Transport, hence making it the state government's responsibility.

This collapse comes on the heels of another bridge incident in Bihar. In March, a bridge under construction in Supaul also collapsed, resulting in the death of one person. That incident sparked a blame game between the state and central governments, highlighting ongoing issues in infrastructure projects within the region.

The recent bridge collapse underscores the urgent need for stringent quality checks and accountability in construction practices to prevent such catastrophic failures and ensure public safety.