A newly constructed bridge over the Bakra river collapsed in Pararia village of Araria district in Bihar on Tuesday. No casualties were reported.
The bridge constructed by the state government was not opened to the public as the approach roads were yet to be constructed.
The bridge connects the Kursa Kanta and Sikty areas of the Araria district. Reportedly, the bridge was built at a cost of Rs 12 crore. Reacting to the video that went viral, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the bridge was not constructed under the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry. The construction was overseen by the Rural Development Ministry of the Bihar government, he added.
"The bridge that collapsed in Araria, Bihar was not constructed under the Union Road Transport Ministry. Its work was going on under the Rural Development Ministry of the Bihar Government," Office of Nitin Gadkari posted on X.
Sikti MLA Vijay Kumar said"The bridge has collapsed due to negligence by the construction company's owner. We demand that the administration should conduct an investigation."
The officials are yet to ascertain the cause of the bridge collapse. An investigation has begun, said officials.
Earlier, an under-construction bridge over the Kosi river collapsed in Supaul district, leaving one dead and 10 others injured.