Supaul: At least one person was killed, and several other laborers were feared buried when a portion of the longest under-construction bridge in the country over the river Kosi collapsed in the Supaul district of Bihar.
Official sources said here on Friday that some portions of the bridge near Maricha in between Bheja and Bakaor collapsed. One person was killed and over nine others injured in this incident. Sources informed us that portions of pillars 50, 51, and 52 collapsed in the river bed.
The injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital Supaul.
Meanwhile, local people alleged that the quality of the under-construction bridge was extremely inferior, following which it collapsed. The incident is a glaring example of rampant corruption, the local people allege.
The 10.2 km-long bridge is being constructed by the central agencies at an expenditure of Rs 1200 crore under the Bharatmala project. The construction was to be completed by 2023; however, due to COVID and perennial floods, the time frame for its completion has been extended.
The bridge being constructed from Bakaor in Supaul to Bheja in Madhubani district will reduce the distance between Supaul and Madhubani by 30 km after its completion.
