Ignored Warnings Preceded Bihar's Vikramshila Bridge Collapse
The partial collapse of Bihar’s Vikramshila bridge in May 2026 was preceded by at least seven internal warnings regarding its deteriorating condition between August 2024 and April 2026, which were largely ignored by authorities. The structural failure began at pillar 133 on May 3, leading to a total span collapse early on May 4, splitting the 4.7-kilometer structure. While no casualties were reported, the incident severely disrupted traffic connectivity between Jharkhand, South Bihar, and Northeast India, forcing detours that increased travel distances significantly. Investigations reveal that overloaded trucks and weakened bearings contributed to the decay, despite previous repair attempts between 2020 and 2024. In response to the negligence, Saket Kumar Roshan, an executive engineer from the Road Construction Department (RCD), was suspended for dereliction of duty. Experts from the Border Road Organisation, Indian Army, and IIT Patna are currently assessing the damage, with repair costs estimated to rise from Rs 26 crore to Rs 75 crore. The incident highlights critical lapses in infrastructure maintenance and administrative accountability within the state’s public works departments.
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Ignored Warnings Preceded Bihar's Vikramshila Bridge Collapse
The partial collapse of Bihar’s Vikramshila bridge in May 2026 was preceded by at least seven internal warnings regarding its deteriorating condition between August 2024 and April 2026, which were largely ignored by authorities. The structural failure began at pillar 133 on May 3, leading to a total span collapse early on May 4, splitting the 4.7-kilometer structure. While no casualties were reported, the incident severely disrupted traffic connectivity between Jharkhand, South Bihar, and Northeast India, forcing detours that increased travel distances significantly. Investigations reveal that overloaded trucks and weakened bearings contributed to the decay, despite previous repair attempts between 2020 and 2024. In response to the negligence, Saket Kumar Roshan, an executive engineer from the Road Construction Department (RCD), was suspended for dereliction of duty. Experts from the Border Road Organisation, Indian Army, and IIT Patna are currently assessing the damage, with repair costs estimated to rise from Rs 26 crore to Rs 75 crore. The incident highlights critical lapses in infrastructure maintenance and administrative accountability within the state’s public works departments.
The Indian Express