Bailey bridge opens over Gangaafter Vikramshila Setu collapse

Bhagalpur: Road construction minister Kumar Shailendra on Sunday inaugurated the Bailey bridge constructed over the Ganga to restore connectivity disrupted by the partial collapse of the Vikramshila Setu, opening it to two-wheelers, four-wheelers, light motor vehicles and pickup vans.

The Bailey bridge has restored traffic movement, though in a restricted manner under strict administrative regulation, 35 days after the collapse of a portion of the Vikramshila Setu disrupted normal life, trade and commerce between south Bihar and the Kosi-Seemanchal region, besides affecting connectivity to the north-eastern states.

More than 33 metres of the reinforced cement concrete structure of the bridge across the Ganga in Bhagalpur, near pillar number 33 between the P2 and P3 spans, collapsed during the night of May 3-4. Following the incident, the BRO was tasked with constructing four sections of Bailey bridge to facilitate restricted movement of vehicles.

The minister honoured officials of the RCD, BRO superintending engineer Vipin Kumar Chand and his team, Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary, SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav, sadar SDO Vikash Kumar and others for their contribution in restoring connectivity and maintaining law and order under challenging weather conditions. Engineers and personnel involved in round-the-clock construction work were also felicitated with traditional angavastras.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the BRO provided excellent cooperation in completing the project despite adverse weather and severe thunderstorms. The temporary bridge, he said, would provide major relief to residents on both sides of the Ganga.

Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary thanked the BRO teams and said the project was completed in record time, helping fulfil CM Samrat Choudhary’s directive to make the bridge operational by June 7.

“The traffic movement and entire operation will be a one-way route under regulated manner and thereby people may have to wait for a short while up to a maximum of 10-15 minutes for crossing the bridge. We are maintaining and will be monitoring the safety of the Bailey bridge and will carry out daily maintenance to ensure safety of commuters,” the DM said.