A major accident took place in the early hours of Monday, May 4, after Vikramshila Bridge, built over the Ganga River in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, partially collapsed from the middle. The incident occurred at around 1.10 am, a pillar of the bridge collapsed, and the slab resting on it sank completely into the river.
The incident created panic in the area, but prompt action by the police and administration helped prevent casualties. Authorities suspended vehicular traffic on the bridge. The collapse has disrupted connectivity between Navgachhia and Bhagalpur. After receiving the information, officials and police personnel reached the spot.
According to officials, the incident began around 11.33 pm on Sunday when pillar number 133 suddenly started sinking. By 11.55 pm, the pillar had tilted significantly. Police personnel deployed on the bridge immediately informed senior officials.
"Around 12:35 in the night, a slab started sinking near pillar number 133. Due to the presence of mind of our local officer and SHO, people were evacuated from there. As soon as people were evacuated, within 15 minutes, a slab fell into the river Ganga. There was no vehicle on that slab. The bridge has been sealed from the Bhagalpur and Navgachhiya sides. Traffic has been stopped. We cannot start the alternative route at night. Those who want to come to Bhagalpur can come from the Munger side. We are looking for an alternative arrangement," said DM Naval Kishore Choudhary.
After receiving the information, Bhagalpur IG Vivek Kumar instructed SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav and Navgachhia SP Rajesh Kumar to stop all vehicular traffic immediately. The area around the pillar was evacuated soon after. At around 1.10 am, the pillar collapsed completely into the river.
Visuals From Collapse Site
The administration has taken precautionary measures to reduce pressure on roads within Bhagalpur city following the bridge collapse. Heavy vehicles have been stopped before entering the city from areas such as Ghongha, Sabour, Jagdishpur and Kajreli.
The bridge was inaugurated nearly 26 years ago and served as an important link connecting large parts of Bihar with Jharkhand through Bhagalpur. Reports also suggest that the bridge had not undergone major repairs over the past 8 years, which may have weakened pillar number 133.