Vikramshila Bridge collapse: Tejashwi alleges corruption, Bihar suspends engineer
Synopsis
A 33-metre stretch of the Vikramshila Setu collapsed into the Ganges in the dead of night — and nobody died, but the political fallout is severe. With Tejashwi Yadav alleging over 100 bridge collapses in two years and the bridge itself having been repaired three times in a decade, Bihar's infrastructure accountability crisis has never looked more acute.
Key Takeaways
A 33-metre stretch of the 4.7-km Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur collapsed into the Ganges at around 12.50 am on Monday .
No casualties were reported; timely traffic halting by the administration averted loss of life.
Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged systemic corruption, claiming over 100 bridges and culverts have collapsed in Bihar in the past two years.
The Road Construction Department suspended an Executive Engineer for negligence.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary discussed urgent repairs with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ; Indian Army assistance is reportedly being explored.
The bridge has been repaired three times in the past decade , raising concerns about maintenance quality and contractor accountability.
A 33-metre stretch of the Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur, Bihar, collapsed into the Ganges River in the early hours of Monday at around 12.50 am, triggering a sharp political confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The incident disrupted connectivity across nearly 16 districts, including the Seemanchal region and parts of Jharkhand, affecting the daily movement of approximately one lakh people.
What Collapsed and When
The 4.7-kilometre-long Vikramshila Setu — one of the longest river bridges in eastern India — lost an approximately 33-metre section to the Ganges in the early hours of Monday. According to officials, timely traffic halting by the administration prevented any loss of life, even though several vehicles were reportedly on the bridge at the time. The collapsed portion did not have a vehicle directly over it when it gave way.
Tejashwi Yadav's Corruption Allegations
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, took to social media platform X to launch a blistering attack on the state government, sharing images of the damaged structure. He alleged that the collapse was a direct result of large-scale corruption under the NDA administration. Yadav claimed he had raised concerns about the bridge's structural vulnerability last month, but the government failed to act. He further alleged that more than 100 bridges and culverts have collapsed across Bihar over the past two years, attributing the pattern to systemic corruption in construction and maintenance contracts.
Government's Response and Action Taken
The state government moved swiftly after the incident. The Road Construction Department suspended an Executive Engineer, citing negligence. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary held discussions with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding urgent repair and restoration measures. Sources indicate that assistance from the Indian Army may be sought to expedite the restoration of the bridge, though no formal announcement has been made.
History of Repairs and Infrastructure Concerns
This is not the first time the Vikramshila Setu has drawn attention for structural issues. The bridge has reportedly undergone repairs three times over the past decade, raising serious questions about the quality of maintenance, contractor accountability, and infrastructure oversight in the state. The latest collapse, coming on the heels of repeated remedial work, is likely to intensify scrutiny of Bihar's bridge maintenance ecosystem. This comes amid a broader national conversation about ageing infrastructure and the adequacy of public works spending.
Impact on Connectivity
The collapse has severely disrupted road connectivity across nearly 16 districts, including the Seemanchal belt and border areas with Jharkhand. Around one lakh people who rely on the bridge for daily commuting are affected, with alternative routes adding significant travel time. Authorities have not yet indicated a timeline for restoration of full traffic movement.
With the Army's potential involvement and political pressure mounting, the pace and transparency of restoration work on the Vikramshila Setu will remain under close watch in the days ahead.
Point of View
If even partially accurate, suggests a systemic rot that a single suspension cannot address. The real accountability question is not who was on duty that night, but who signed off on three rounds of repairs that clearly did not hold.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Vikramshila Bridge in Bhagalpur?
A 33-metre section of the 4.7-kilometre-long Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur, Bihar, collapsed into the Ganges River at around 12.50 am on Monday. Timely traffic halting prevented any loss of life, though the damage has severely disrupted connectivity across 16 districts.
What action has the Bihar government taken after the bridge collapse?
The Road Construction Department suspended an Executive Engineer for negligence. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also held discussions with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on urgent restoration, and sources indicate Indian Army assistance may be sought to speed up repair work.
What allegations did Tejashwi Yadav make about the Vikramshila Bridge collapse?
Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the collapse was a direct result of large-scale corruption under the NDA government. He claimed he had flagged the bridge's structural vulnerability last month and that over 100 bridges and culverts have collapsed across Bihar in the past two years due to systemic corruption.
How many people are affected by the Vikramshila Bridge collapse?
Approximately one lakh people who depend on the bridge for daily commuting are affected. The collapse has disrupted connectivity across nearly 16 districts, including the Seemanchal region and parts of Jharkhand.
How many times has the Vikramshila Bridge been repaired before?
According to reports, the Vikramshila Setu has undergone repairs three times over the past decade. The repeated remedial work without a lasting fix has raised serious questions about maintenance quality and infrastructure oversight in Bihar.
