Desk Correspondent , Patna - A significant portion of the 4.7-kilometre-long Vikramshila Setu, a vital bridge over the Ganga river connecting Bhagalpur and Naugachia in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, collapsed early Monday morning, triggering an immediate investigation by authorities. The incident occurred around 12:50 am near pillar number 133, where a gap formed between slabs followed by a major section falling into the river. No casualties were reported, and officials acted swiftly to clear vehicles and people from the area. District Magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary confirmed that traffic has been blocked on both sides of the bridge, advising commuters to use alternate routes via Munger. Arrangements for steamers and boats have been made to ferry passengers and small vehicles across the river.

Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Chairman Chandrashekhar Singh stated that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has engaged with the Defence Minister and Army chief to deploy the Border Roads Organisation and army for alternative arrangements. Repair work on the bridge is targeted for completion within three months. In the longer term, a parallel four-lane bridge is under construction to address high traffic pressure and is expected to be ready by December this year. An expert engineering committee has been formed to probe the causes of the collapse, including possible damage to protection walls. Recent reports had highlighted deterioration in the bridge's protection walls, with maintenance plans already in the approval pipeline following an inspection about a month ago.

The collapse of this key infrastructure has raised concerns over bridge safety and maintenance in Bihar, especially given the river's strong currents and heavy usage of the Vikramshila Setu. Officials emphasized that prompt action prevented any loss of life, with no vehicles plunging into the river. The incident underscores the urgency for robust monitoring of aging structures amid growing traffic demands in the region. Authorities continue to monitor the site closely while ensuring minimal disruption to daily commutes through temporary ferry services. The probe is expected to provide clarity on structural issues and recommend preventive measures for similar bridges across the state.