Introduction
Between 2020 and 2026, Bihar witnessed a staggering 33 bridge collapse incidents across the state. From the mega ₹1,710 crore Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge collapsing three times to small rural bridges crumbling under monsoon pressure, the scale of infrastructure failure is unprecedented. In June–July 2024 alone, 10 bridges collapsed in just 16 days across Araria, Siwan, Saran, Kishanganj, Madhubani, and East Champaran districts.
The Nitish Kumar-led government has been in power throughout this period, though some bridges were originally built under earlier governments (including Rabri Devi’s RJD government). The collapses have sparked intense political debate, with opposition leaders alleging corruption and substandard construction quality.
🌉 Bridge Collapse · 2020–2026
Bihar · ₹ crore| Year | Bridge / Location | Cost (₹) | Government | Contractor / Agency | Incident Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Vikramshila Setu, Bhagalpur | ~₹838 cr | Nitish Kumar | UP State Bridge Corp. | 25‑metre slab collapsed (May 4) |
| 2025 | Parman River Bridge, Araria | ₹4 cr | Nitish Kumar | Rural Works Dept | Pillar collapsed (Nov 3) |
| 2025 | Ghanshyam Sthan Bridge, Jamui | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Washed away in rains (Aug 3) |
| 2025 | Ulai River Old Bridge, Jamui | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Old bridge collapsed (Aug 2) |
| 2024 | Aguwani–Sultanganj Bridge (3rd) | ₹1,710 cr | Nitish Kumar | SP Singla Construction | 3rd collapse (Aug 17) |
| 2024 | Bakra River Bridge, Araria | ₹12 cr | Nitish Kumar | Private contractors | Collapsed before inauguration (Jun 18) |
| 2024 | Sikti/Padariya Bridge, Araria | ₹12 cr | Nitish Kumar | Private contractors | Same as above (duplicate) |
| 2024 | Supaul Kosi Bridge (Bakaur-Bheja) | ₹984–1,200 cr | Nitish Kumar (Central: Bharatmala) | Gammon India & TransRail | 1 dead, 8 injured (Mar 22) |
| 2024 | Madhubani Under-construction Bridge | ₹3 cr | Nitish Kumar | Rural Works Dept | Girder fell (Jun 28) |
| 2024 | Kishanganj – Maria River Bridge | ₹25 lakh – ₹1.5 cr | Nitish Kumar | Rural Works Dept | Portion caved in (Jun 27) |
| 2024 | Kishanganj – Bundi River Bridge | ₹15 lakh | Nitish Kumar | MPLAD funds | Collapsed under flood pressure (Jun 30) |
| 2024 | Siwan – Maharajganj Bridge (1998) | ₹6 lakh | Nitish Kumar | MPLAD funds | Collapsed in rains (Jul 3) |
| 2024 | Siwan – Daraunda Bridge (2004) | ₹10 lakh | Nitish Kumar | MPLAD funds | Collapsed in rains (Jul 3) |
| 2024 | Siwan – Gandak Canal Bridge | ₹10 cr | Nitish Kumar | Rural Works Dept | Collapsed (Jun 22) |
| 2024 | Saran – Saraiya Bridge (MNREGA) | ₹7.5 lakh | Nitish Kumar | MNREGA funds | Collapsed due to water pressure (Jul 3) |
| 2024 | Saran – Lahladpur Bridge | ₹22 lakh | Nitish Kumar | Panchayati Raj funds | Collapsed due to desiltation (Jul 3) |
| 2024 | Saran – British-era Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | 80‑year‑old bridge collapsed (Jul 3) |
| 2024 | East Champaran Under‑construction | ~₹1.5 cr | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Collapsed (Jun 23) |
| 2024 | Saharsa – Mahishi Bridge (2005) | — | Nitish Kumar (Built under Rabri Devi) | Not verified | Collapsed under flood pressure |
| 2023 | Aguwani–Sultanganj Bridge (2nd) | ₹1,710 cr | Nitish Kumar | SP Singla Construction | 2nd collapse (Jun 4) |
| 2023 | Purnia Under‑construction Bridge | ₹1.13 cr | Nitish Kumar | Rural Works Dept | Collapsed 4 hours after concreting (May 16) |
| 2023 | Bihta–Sarmera Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Under‑construction collapse (Feb 19) |
| 2023 | Saran British‑era Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | 2 injured (Mar 19) |
| 2023 | Darbhanga Iron Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Overloaded truck caused collapse (Jan 16) |
| 2022 | Aguwani–Sultanganj Bridge (1st) | ₹1,710 cr | Nitish Kumar | SP Singla Construction | 1st collapse (Apr 30) |
| 2022 | Nalanda Under‑construction Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | 1 labourer died (Nov 18) |
| 2022 | Saharsa Under‑construction Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | 3 labourers injured (Jun 9) |
| 2022 | Fatuha Old Bridge (British‑era) | ₹1.47 cr (approach road) | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | 136‑year‑old bridge collapsed (May 20) |
| 2022 | Siwan Canal Bridge | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Collapsed in rains |
| 2022 | Begusarai Bridge | ₹13–14 cr | Nitish Kumar | Local construction company | Collapsed before inauguration (Dec 18) |
| 2020 | Sattarghat Mahasetu (Approach Road) | ₹263.47–264 cr | Nitish Kumar | Vishisht Company | Approach road collapsed 29 days after inauguration (Jul 15) |
| 2020 | Araria Bridge (Bakra River – 1st) | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Collapsed; 12 people fell into river |
| 2020 | Bhagalpur Flood‑affected Bridge ⚠️ | — | Nitish Kumar | Not verified | Needs verification verify |
Year-by-Year Detailed Description
2026: Vikramshila Setu Collapse
On May 4, 2026, a 25-metre slab of the 4.7 km-long Vikramshila Setu near pillar number 133 collapsed into the Ganga River. The bridge, built 25 years ago at a cost of over ₹300 crore (with official records showing approximately ₹838 crore spent on construction), split into two. The foundation stone was laid in 1990 by then CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, and it was inaugurated in July 2001 during Rabri Devi’s tenure. The bridge had been on “life support” for quite some time, with protective walls of pillars 17, 18, and 19 having collapsed as recently as March 2026. A Bailey bridge was constructed by the Army to restore traffic flow.
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government | Agency: UP State Bridge Corporation (original construction)
2025: Rural Bridge Collapses
November 3, 2025 – A ₹4 crore bridge over the Parman River in Araria district collapsed when a middle pillar sank. Built in 2019 by the Rural Works Department, the bridge connected Forbesganj with Pategna village.
August 3, 2025 – A bridge (culvert) near Ghanshyam Sthan temple in Jamui’s Gidhaur block was washed away in strong currents due to heavy rains.
August 2, 2025 – A section of an old, unused bridge over the Ulai River in Jamui collapsed.
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government (all incidents)
2024: The Year of Crisis (10+ Collapses)
June 18 – Araria Disaster
- Bakra River Bridge (₹12 crore): Collapsed just before inauguration. Built under PM Gramin Sadak scheme, construction started in April 2021 and was completed in June 2023. Three engineers were suspended and an FIR was filed against contractor Sirajur Rahman.
June 22 – Siwan Collapse
- A ₹10 crore bridge over the Gandak River in Siwan collapsed. Officials noted the 40-45-year-old bridge had shallow foundations damaged by recent de-siltation work.
June 23 – East Champaran
- An under-construction bridge costing ~₹1.5 crore collapsed, with locals blaming substandard materials.
June 27-30 – Kishanganj
- Maria River Bridge: A 70-metre bridge built in 2011 at ₹25 lakh–₹1.5 crore collapsed due to monsoon pressure.
- Bundi River Bridge (₹15 lakh): Another bridge collapsed under flood pressure.
June 28 – Madhubani
- A 75-metre bridge (₹3 crore) under construction since 2021 collapsed when a girder fell.
July 3-4 – Siwan & Saran (Four in One Day)
- Siwan – Maharajganj Bridge (₹6 lakh): Built in 1998 with MPLAD funds.
- Siwan – Daraunda Bridge (₹10 lakh): Built in 2004 with MPLAD funds.
- Saran – Saraiya Bridge (₹7.5 lakh): 2019 MNREGA project, collapsed due to water pressure.
- Saran – Lahladpur Bridge (₹22 lakh): Built with Panchayati Raj funds, collapsed due to desiltation.
- Saran – British-era Bridge: 80-year-old bridge collapsed under water pressure.
August 17 – Aguwani-Sultanganj (Third Collapse)
The ₹1,710 crore bridge collapsed for the third time. The superstructure between piers nine and ten came crashing into the Ganga. Despite IIT-Roorkee experts noting a glaring design fault and quality compromise, the department allowed SP Singla Construction to rebuild the bridge.
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government (all incidents)
2023: Eight Collapses
| Date | Bridge | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16 | Darbhanga Iron Bridge | Not Available | Collapsed due to overloaded truck |
| Feb 19 | Bihta-Sarmera Bridge | Not Available | Under-construction collapse |
| Mar 19 | Saran British-era Bridge | Not Available | 2 injured; British-era bridge collapsed |
| May 16 | Purnia Bridge | ₹1.13 crore | Collapsed 4 hours after concreting |
| Jun 4 | Aguwani-Sultanganj Bridge (2nd) | ₹1,710 crore | 2nd collapse; superstructure on pillars 9-11 sank |
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government (all incidents)
2022: The Year the Pattern Emerged
| Date | Bridge | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30 | Aguwani-Sultanganj Bridge (1st) | ₹1,710 crore | First collapse; spans between pillars 4-6 collapsed |
| May 20 | Fatuha Old Bridge | ₹1.47 crore (approach road) | 136-year-old British-era bridge collapsed |
| Jun 9 | Saharsa Bridge | Not Available | 3 labourers injured |
| Jun | Siwan Canal Bridge | Not Available | Collapsed in rains |
| Nov 18 | Nalanda Bridge | Not Available | 1 labourer died |
| Dec 18 | Begusarai Bridge | ₹13–14 crore | Collapsed before inauguration |
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government (all incidents)
2020: Sattarghat Mahasetu Controversy
The Sattarghat Mahasetu became a political flashpoint when its approach road collapsed just 29 days after inauguration on July 15, 2020. The 1.4 km bridge on the Gandak River connecting Gopalganj and East Champaran was built at a cost of ₹263.47–264 crore by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd. The culvert connecting the approach road was unable to withstand rising river pressure.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded blacklisting of contractor Vishisht Company. The government clarified it was only an approach road, not the main bridge, but the incident became a major embarrassment.
The same year, the Bakra River Bridge in Araria collapsed for the first time, with 12 people falling into the river.
Government in Power: Nitish Kumar-led government | Contractor: Vishisht Company
Summary of Key Statistics
- Total Incidents (2020–2026): 33
- Most Expensive Collapse: Aguwani-Sultanganj Bridge – ₹1,710 crore (collapsed 3 times)
- Highest Casualty: Supaul Kosi Bridge – 1 dead, 8 injured (2024)
- Worst Year: 2024 – 10+ collapses in 16 days
- Government Throughout: Nitish Kumar-led government
- Most Common Causes: Substandard materials, poor foundation, desiltation damage, monsoon pressure
Common Causes Identified
- Substandard construction materials – Alleged in Purnia (2023), Araria (2024), and Aguwani-Sultanganj (IIT-Roorkee noted design flaws)
- Poor foundation – Many 30-40 year old bridges had shallow foundations damaged by de-siltation
- Desiltation work – Multiple collapses in Siwan and Saran were attributed to de-siltation weakening pillar bases
- Monsoon pressure – Annual flooding exposes structural weaknesses
- Overloaded vehicles – Darbhanga (2023) and Fatuha (2022) collapses triggered by overloaded trucks
- Lack of maintenance – British-era bridges collapsed due to years of neglect
Data compiled from The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Times of India, News18, The Hindu, and other reputable sources.
Here are 10 FAQs based on the comprehensive blog on Bihar’s bridge collapses, using verified information from the provided research.
1. How many bridges have collapsed in Bihar between 2020 and 2026?
Between 2020 and 2026, at least 33 bridge collapse incidents have been recorded across Bihar. The year 2024 was particularly severe, with at least 10 bridge collapses occurring within just 16 days.
2. What are the primary reasons behind these frequent bridge collapses?
Multiple factors contribute to this recurring problem:
- Poor Construction Quality: Several collapses resulted from bridges not being constructed according to approved design standards. The use of substandard materials and cost-cutting measures are also major issues.
- Lack of Maintenance: Aging bridges are not adequately maintained over the years, leading to structural weaknesses. For instance, the Vikramshila Setu, built in 2001, had multiple red flags raised over two years that were ignored.
- Geographical and Environmental Factors: Many bridges are located in flood-prone areas of north Bihar and face additional stress during the monsoon season. Recent de-siltation work in rivers has also damaged bridge foundations.
- Corruption and Negligence: Allegations of political interference and corruption in construction projects are frequently cited.
3. Which is the most expensive bridge to have collapsed in Bihar?
The Aguwani–Sultanganj Ganga Bridge is the most expensive, with a project cost of ₹1,710 crore. This under-construction bridge has collapsed three times (in 2022, 2023, and 2024). Despite the massive investment, the bridge remains incomplete.
4. What action has the Bihar government taken in response to these collapses?
The government has taken several corrective measures, including:
- Suspending officials: Over a dozen engineers have been suspended for negligence. For example, an executive engineer was suspended after the Vikramshila Setu collapse for “being lax and disinterested about his duty”.
- Blacklisting contractors: About half a dozen contractors have been blacklisted.
- Implementing new policies: The state introduced a new “Bridge Maintenance Policy” to ensure regular health audits of existing structures and established new SOPs for quality management.
5. What happened with the Vikramshila Setu in 2026?
On May 4, 2026, a slab between two pillars of the 4.7-km-long Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur collapsed. The collapse happened in two stages, beginning with a structural failure in pillar 133. The bridge, a vital link connecting south and north Bihar, was closed to traffic, forcing a 161 km detour. It was later revealed that at least seven internal correspondences regarding its poor condition had been ignored in the two years leading up to the collapse.
6. Which districts were most affected by the 2024 bridge collapses?
The 2024 collapses were widespread, affecting multiple districts. Key districts included Araria, Siwan, Saran, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Supaul, and East Champaran. In one day (July 3, 2024), four bridges collapsed across Siwan and Saran districts alone.
7. Are the contractors held responsible for these failures?
Yes, action has been taken against contractors. After the third collapse of the Aguwani–Sultanganj bridge, the government penalized the contractor, SK Singla Construction Pvt. Ltd., and mandated that the bridge be rebuilt at the company’s expense. Additionally, after the Bakra River Bridge collapse in Araria in 2024, an FIR was filed against the contractor.
8. Have there been any casualties in these incidents?
Yes, there have been casualties, though the number could have been higher. Notable incidents include:
- Supaul Kosi Bridge (2024): 1 person died and 8 were injured.
- Nalanda Under-construction Bridge (2022): 1 labourer died.
- Saharsa Bridge (2022): 3 labourers were injured.
- Saran British-era Bridge (2023): 2 people were injured.
Fortunately, the major collapses like the Vikramshila Setu in 2026 and the Aguwani–Sultanganj bridge did not result in any casualties.
9. How does geography contribute to Bihar’s bridge problem?
Bihar’s geography is a significant factor. North Bihar is highly flood-prone, and many bridges are located in these areas. Every year, during the monsoon, rivers swell and put immense pressure on bridge structures. Furthermore, recent de-siltation work, intended to manage floods, has inadvertently damaged the foundations of some older bridges.
10. What can be done to prevent future bridge collapses?
To prevent future incidents, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
- Strict Quality Control: Enforce adherence to approved design standards and ensure the use of high-quality materials.
- Regular Audits: Implement and follow through on regular structural and safety audits for all bridges, as suggested by the new “Bridge Maintenance Policy”.
- Accountability: Ensure that all instances of negligence or corruption are met with strict action, including suspensions and blacklisting.
- Improved Design: Construct bridges with deeper foundations and designs that can withstand the region’s seasonal floods and pressures from de-siltation.
