Vaishali: At least seven workers were injured after a heavy structure used in the construction of an under-construction bridge crashed in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Thursday.
The incident took place in the Lalganj area on the NH-139W four-lane project, being developed under the Bharatmala programme. Initial reports said the accident occurred while a launcher machine used during bridge construction was being moved.
One worker reportedly suffered a severely crushed leg, while the other injured workers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. No deaths have been reported so far.
According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the incident occurred while the construction machinery was being shifted at the site.
NHAI said the main bridge structure did not suffer permanent damage and that the injured workers were taken for medical treatment. The authority has also said that safety procedures and working practices will be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Local police and administrative officials reached the spot following the accident, while rescue operations were carried out at the site.
The Vaishali accident has once again brought attention to safety standards at bridge construction sites in Bihar. The state has witnessed several bridge-related accidents and collapses in recent years, prompting questions over construction quality, engineering supervision and safety protocols.
The latest incident is now being investigated to establish exactly what caused the launcher and associated structure to fall.
Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also criticised the government over the incident, alleging poor construction practices and administrative negligence. These are political allegations and will need to be established through the ongoing investigation.