As part of the ongoing comprehensive structural audit on the safety of bridges in Bihar, IIT Patna has submitted its preliminary report to the Road Construction Department. Following the Agwani Ghat bridge disaster, the state government decided to conduct a structural audit of all major bridges. The audit work began in June last year, jagran.com reported
IIT Patna was tasked with conducting structural audits of 85 bridges in the state, of which the department has received reports for 47 bridges so far. Reports for the remaining bridges will also be made available soon.
Nine Bridges Need Immediate Repairs
A study of the report by Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation has revealed that there are nine bridges which need immediate repair and strengthening.
The condition of two bridges in Muzaffarpur has been found to be critical - one near the station and the other over the Gandak River between Bairia and Zero Mile.
Three bridges in Gaya district have been identified as needing repairs: the Basatpur-Sinlaunja road, the Chatki-Dariyapur-Gora road, and the bridge between Rajbigha and Beldar Bigha.
Additionally, two bridges in Lakhisarai have been identified as needing repairs, one near the ROB and the other in the city area. In Hajipur, a bridge near the old railway bridge has also been listed for repair.
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Repair Work To Begin Soon
The Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation has taken the defects in these bridges seriously and is preparing to begin the repair process immediately. A separate tender will be issued for the repair and strengthening of the bridges.
Pankaj Kumar Pal, Secretary of the Road Construction Department, has directed officials to strictly comply with the IIT report. He has also issued specific instructions regarding a bridge in Lakhisarai.
Audit Of Bridges Larger Than 60 Metre
IIT Patna currently conducts structural audits of bridges over 60 meters in length. Bridges under 60 meters are maintained by the respective road construction agencies under the Road Maintenance Policy.