For the second occasion in less than a year, a concrete bridge in Bihar, India, being built over the Ganges has fallen, raising concerns about the construction’s quality and safety.
The 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) bridge fell into the Ganges on Sunday, sending rubble and dust flying into the air and causing waves across the sacred river. The spectacular event was caught on camera.
Prior to this most recent devastating failure, the Sultanganj Bridge had also collapsed in April of last year. Whether the problems were properly addressed and fixed after the bridge fell last year is still a mystery.
On the riverbank, onlookers captured the bridge’s collapse while yelling in shock and alarm. No verifiable instances of accidents-related injuries have surfaced as of yet.
The finished bridge, which would have provided a vital new connection across the Ganges, was supposed to have four lanes of traffic and a footpath, according to McElhanney. According to the company’s website, it was also projected to reduce traffic congestion on the state’s three current road bridges.
The Sultanganj Bridge collapse is not an uncommon occurrence in India. A suspension bridge in the Gujarati town of Morbi collapsed in October of last year, tragically taking 135 lives.
Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, has mandated a comprehensive investigation to ascertain what caused the bridge to crumble.
In a statement, McElhanney, the Canadian engineering and design company in charge of the bridge, confirmed the “partial collapse” and expressed grave concern for the safety and welfare of individuals impacted by the tragedy. The business has promised to assist with any inquiries concerning the situation.