Patna: In yet another setback for Bihar’s infrastructure push, a newly built Road Over Bridge (RoB) in Buxar developed visible structural damage just days after its inauguration, prompting authorities to shut it down and divert traffic.
The ₹26.4 crore Buxar-Baruna (Itarhi) RoB, designed to ease long-standing congestion at the LC-70A railway crossing, was opened to traffic around May 31, 2026. Within days, concrete began crumbling near pillar number 5, with the slab sinking and leaving a noticeable gap on the carriageway.
Official Version: Technical Settlement on Incomplete Approach
The Bihar Road Construction Department (RCD) has attributed the damage to settlement issues near an expansion joint on the approach road, which was still under construction and not formally handed over.
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According to the department, heavy traffic moved onto the new structure before the damaged concrete section could fully cure and gain required strength, leading to further cracks. Traffic has now been suspended, the old level crossing reopened, and urgent repairs initiated after technical inspections.
Railway Clarifies Its Portion Remains Fully Safe
Chief public relations officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway (ECR), Saraswati Chandra, in an official statement confirmed that the railway-built portion of the ROB — the main span over the tracks — is completely secure.
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“The ROB was inaugurated on May 30. The flank where the partial crack appeared was constructed by the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL). The railway’s section is fully safe,” the statement read. Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with state agencies, with heavy traffic already restricted on the bridge.
Pattern of Repeated Bridge Failures Across Bihar
This incident is far from isolated. Several high-profile bridges in the state have faced similar troubles shortly after opening.
The JP Ganga Bridge developed visible cracks soon after inauguration. In Araria, the Jhamta-Mahishakol Bridge saw a pillar sink, leading to traffic restrictions. The Vikramshila Setu suffered a partial collapse into the Ganga, while issues have also been reported on bridges in Bettiah, the Keni Bridge and the Gandak Mahasetu.
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State-wide safety audits have flagged multiple structures as vulnerable due to substandard materials, poor supervision, and inadequate curing periods.
Public Anger Grows Over Quality and Accountability
Residents who waited more than a decade for the Buxar bridge now find themselves back to square one, navigating diversions and delays. On social media, frustration is boiling over, with many questioning how projects worth crores repeatedly fail basic durability tests.
Critics point to rushed inaugurations for political optics, compromises in lowest-bidder contracts, and weak oversight as root causes. Local leaders have demanded a high-level probe, while some officials have cited overloaded vehicles — a claim viewed with skepticism given the short timeframe.
Will Bihar Break the Cycle of Collapse and Repair?
Bihar has witnessed over a dozen bridge-related incidents in recent years, from minor culverts to major river spans. Despite massive investments aimed at improving connectivity, recurring failures continue to dent public confidence.
Experts highlight weak foundations, inferior construction practices and insufficient post-construction monitoring as persistent problems. As repairs proceed in Buxar and investigations get underway, the bigger challenge remains: delivering infrastructure that lasts beyond the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
For now, commuters wait once again, hoping this time the fixes prove more lasting than the promises.
