10 bridges down in 16 days, Bihar suspends 17 engineers

PATNA: Bihar govt on Friday suspended 17 engineers following a string of bridge collapses across the state in the past fortnight. These incidents, that took place in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran, and Kishanganj, have left the governing NDA red faced.
"We have suspended 17 engineers from flood and water discharge divisions as well as the rural works department for gross negligence on their part," a statement issued by the state govt read.
A bridge over the Gandaki river collapsed in Saran on Thursday, making it the 10th such incident in Bihar in 16 days. However, govt has claimed that only nine bridges have collapsed.
As many as 11 engineers were suspended for lapses related to collapses in Saran and Siwan districts. "Inquiry by water resources department flying squads found that the engineers had not taken precautionary measures and didn't conduct technical inspection of the bridges. Gross negligence was also found on the part of contractors," govt said.
Additional suspensions included four engineers from the rural works department for negligence following an inquiry by a team led by a chief engineer level officer. Two more engineers linked to a collapse in East Champaran district's Ghodasahan block were also suspended.
As govt cracked down on errant officials, opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav described the bridge collapses as "administrative failure". "Double engines in Bihar are involved in a game where one engine is engaged in corruption and the other in crime," Tejashwi on X said.
Meanwhile, state public health and engineering department minister Niraj Kumar Singh said govt has cancelled tenders worth Rs 3,600crore related to piped drinking water supply system that were initiated during the previous Grand Alliance regime.
"These tenders are being revised to incorporate new features aimed at enhancing efficiency and coverage," the minister told mediapersons.
"I would not say that there were any irregularities. The department reviewed the existing tenders and decided to revise them to include new features," Singh said.