'Why after Lok Sabha elections?' Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi suspects conspiracy as 5 bridges fall in 9 days in Bihar

"Why did these bridge collapses not occur 15 or 30 days earlier? Why are they happening now, just after the Lok Sabha elections? Is there a deliberate effort to discredit the state government?" Majhi was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Over the past nine days, Bihar has witnessed the collapse of five bridges in districts including Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhubani.

On Friday, an under-construction bridge in Bihar's Madhubani region caved in. The 75-meter bridge, which had been under construction by the Bihar Rural Works Department since 2021, gave way.

The Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), who was present in Bihar's Gaya, also said that those found involved in any misconduct would face penalties.

"We are closely monitoring such incidents at both state and central levels. Contractors or engineers found guilty of wrongdoing will face penalties," he stated.

Manjhi said the bridges fell down due to the use of substandard materials by contractors.

"The collapses are a result of contractors using inferior materials. The state government is taking action against such contractors, and state authorities are investigating the matter. I urge them to also look into any potential conspiracy," he said according to NDTV.

The state government has faced criticism from the opposition due to the frequent collapses of bridges.

Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, took potshots at the Nitish Kumar government, remarking, "With the dual power of the double-engine government in Bihar, we've seen 5 bridges collapse in just 9 days."

The collapse in Madhubani happened a day after another bridge fell in Kishanganj district.

The third incident took place in the Ghodasahan block of East Champaran on June 23.

On June 22, the bridge on the canal linking Daraunda and Maharajganj blocks in Siwan fell.

Earlier, a bridge built at a cost of Rs 12 crore on the Bakra river in the Sikti block of Araria district collapsed on June 18.