Bridge Collapse in Araria Sparks Outrage, Exposes Deep-Rooted Corruption and Negligence

Bihar, Nov 2025 : In yet another alarming reminder of crumbling infrastructure and administrative negligence, a bridge worth crores collapsed on Monday afternoon in Kauachar village of Forbesganj block, Araria district. The bridge, built in 2019 at an estimated cost of ₹3.80 crore over the Parman River, suddenly caved in, triggering panic among locals and raising uncomfortable questions about construction quality and government oversight.

Kauachar is notably the ancestral village of Araria’s BJP MP Pradeep Kumar Singh, adding a political dimension to the controversy. According to local residents, the bridge had been closed to vehicular movement for the past few months due to its deteriorating condition. Despite official restrictions, people from nearby areas continued to use it for daily commuting. On Monday, one of the bridge’s spans abruptly collapsed, rendering the entire structure unsafe and unusable. As a result, road connectivity between Pategana, Forbesganj, and Sikti has been severely disrupted.

The collapse has sparked widespread anger and revived concerns about rampant corruption within the Rural Works Department (RWD). The fact that a multi-crore bridge has become dilapidated within just three years of construction has intensified public outrage. Villagers allege that inferior materials, negligence, and large-scale corruption were involved. They contend that the bridge weakened due to collusion between contractors and officials, and that taxpayers are now suffering the consequences of this mismanagement.

This is not an isolated case in Araria. On June 18, 2024, a 12-crore bridge under construction over the Bakra River in Padaria village of Sikti block also collapsed before completion. That project too was overseen by the Rural Works Department. The back-to-back failures have escalated concerns about the department’s credibility and the state’s infrastructure standards.

Reacting to the incident, RWD engineer Chandrashekhar Kumar revealed that the department had already been alerted to the bridge’s deteriorating condition. “A letter was sent to the department on October 30, 2025. After today’s incident, the DM and SP have been informed to ensure public safety,” he said. Kumar added that although the contractor’s guarantee period had expired, an inquiry would be held into construction quality and any irregularities. He assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

The bridge collapse has reignited political tensions in Bihar, especially amid the ongoing election season. The opposition swiftly attacked the state government, alleging that “instead of building bridges, the foundations of corruption are being strengthened in Bihar.” With the public demanding accountability, the incident is likely to become a major election issue, further intensifying the political climate in the state.