THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 2: Concerned about the repeated bridge collapses in Bihar, the Supreme Court has transferred a PIL on the matter to the Patna High Court, asking it to oversee safety measures and structural audits, preferably on a monthly basis.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar issued the ruling.
The PIL, filed by lawyer Brajesh Singh, seeks an expert panel to assess bridges across the state and determine whether they need reinforcement or demolition.
Following multiple bridge failures in districts such as Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj between May and July last year—incidents some attributed to heavy rainfall—the court had sought responses from the Bihar government, NHAI, and other authorities in July 2024.
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Despite granting the Bihar government a final opportunity in November last year to submit its reply, the Supreme Court found the matter warranted further scrutiny by the High Court.
The Bihar government informed the Supreme Court that it had inspected approximately 10,000 bridges across the state.
The bench reviewed the government’s counter affidavit before transferring the case. It also directed all concerned parties, including Singh, state authorities, and the NHAI, to appear before the Patna High Court on May 14, when the schedule for future hearings will be set.
Previously, the Supreme Court had also issued notices to key officials, including the additional chief secretary of the road construction department, the chairperson of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited, and the additional chief secretary of the rural works department.
The petitioner had earlier sought to submit news reports and additional documents to highlight the deteriorating state of Bihar’s bridges, pressing for urgent intervention.
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