New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred to Patna High Court a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the recurring collapses of bridges in Bihar.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing the PIL, which sought directions for a thorough structural audit and the establishment of an expert committee to assess weak bridges requiring demolition or reinforcement.
After reviewing the details provided in Bihar's Counter Affidavit, the bench decided to transfer the case to the Patna High Court.
"We have gone through the counter, and we are transferring it to the Patna High Court. The affidavit contains details of the inspections and measures being undertaken," observed CJI Khanna.
During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel emphasized that multiple bridge collapses had occurred without any third-party inspection.
Justice Kumar expressed concern over the situation, stating, "Three under-construction bridges collapsed! The concerned officials were suspended temporarily and then reinstated. Everyone seems to be complicit."
The Bihar government's counsel countered by stating that departmental proceedings had been initiated against the responsible officials. Additionally, he informed the bench that over 10,000 bridges had already been inspected.
The Supreme Court subsequently passed an order stating: "Having regard to the nature of the controversy and the Counter Affidavit, we believe that this writ petition should be transferred to the Patna High Court, which can conduct expeditious and appropriate hearings at regular intervals.
The registry is directed to transfer the files within four weeks, and parties are to appear before the High Court on May 14, 2025."
Earlier, in July 2024, a Supreme Court bench led by then-CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had issued a notice in the matter.
The PIL was filed following reports of at least nine recent bridge collapses in Bihar, including under-construction structures.
The petition raised serious concerns about bridge safety and infrastructure integrity in the flood-prone state.
The PIL seeks not only an audit but also the formation of a high-level expert committee for continuous assessment and monitoring of bridges to ensure public safety.
It highlights multiple collapses in river-adjacent areas, particularly in Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, and Kishanganj districts.
"It is a matter of grave concern that Bihar, being India's most flood-prone state with 73.06% of its geographical area affected by floods, is witnessing frequent bridge collapses.
This endangers public safety and requires urgent judicial intervention," the petition stated.
The petitioner also called for real-time monitoring of bridges based on methodologies developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as outlined in its policy dated March 4, 2024, for the preservation of National Highways and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
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