Concerns Rise Over Structural Integrity of Bihar's Bridges

Recent structural issues in Bihar's bridges have sparked significant concern among residents and officials alike. The Jhammata-Mahishakol bridge in Araria district has developed cracks just four years post-construction, leading to protests against alleged corruption and poor construction practices. Local leaders have raised alarms about the use of substandard materials, while another bridge in the region has also shown signs of distress. These incidents have prompted criticism of the state government, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure safety reforms. Read on to discover more about the ongoing situation and the community's response.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 17:09 IST

Structural Issues in Bihar's Bridges Raise Alarm

In Araria district, Bihar, cracks have appeared in the Jhammata-Mahishakol bridge over the Parmann River, attributed to the sinking of one of its main pillars. Just four years after its construction, worries about the bridge's safety have intensified. Built at a cost of approximately ₹7.32 crore in 2022, noticeable cracks are evident in the bridge's main railing, prompting authorities to prohibit heavy vehicles from using it. Following this incident, local residents gathered at the site, protesting against alleged infrastructural flaws and corruption in the construction process.

Demonstrators voiced their discontent, chanting slogans against corruption and demanding the suspension of the bridge's engineer. Faisal Javed Yaseen, a leader from Jan Suraj, raised concerns about the construction quality, asserting that issues were flagged during the bridge's development. He informed that it has been less than four years since the bridge was completed, and both local villagers and he had previously questioned the use of substandard materials and local sand in its construction.

Yaseen further alleged that engineers and officials had assured villagers that mistakes would not be repeated and that the bridge would remain safe. He emphasized the importance of maintaining smooth traffic flow, as the bridge connects at least 10-12 panchayats and extends to the Nepal border.

In another incident in Bihar, cracks have also been reported in the Bisunpur-Mangalpur Gandak bridge near the Betia-Gopalganj border, raising new concerns about infrastructure safety in the state. Earlier, on May 4, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, criticized the NDA government following the collapse of a section of the Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur. In a statement, the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader attributed the incident to corruption, noting that the bridge, previously declared unsafe, collapsed without any casualties.