Media reports indicate that nine bridges have collapsed in Bihar over the past two weeks. The PIL requests the formation of a high-level expert committee to inspect all bridges. The petition also calls for the Supreme Court to direct the Bihar government to carry out comprehensive structural audits of both existing and under-construction bridges.
Three more bridges collapsed on Wednesday, with two reportedly collapsing in Siwan and one in Saran district. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar held a review meeting with officials and directed them to take appropriate measures for the maintenance of bridges.
Earlier, the Bihar rural works department minister Ashok Chaudhary announced the setting up of a three-member committee to investigate the collapse of bridges in Bihar. The state has been witness to several mishaps involving bridges, including an under-construction bridge collapse in East Champaran district and a newly constructed bridge collapse in Araria district.