Vikramshila Bridge Declared Structurally Sound Amid Social Media Panic
In Bhagalpur, widespread panic and rumours regarding alleged damage to the iconic Vikramshila Setu over the river Ganga have been firmly addressed by authorities. Chief engineer of NHAI (south) Sanjay Bharati provided a comprehensive clarification on Saturday, stating unequivocally that the bridge structure and its pillars remain completely safe and secure.
Official Inspection Dispels Misinformation
The concern, which spread rapidly across the region, was triggered after a temporary construction ring surrounding one of the pillars collapsed into the river due to extensive rusting. Bharati, who conducted a thorough inspection of the bridge alongside a team of engineers from the bridge construction department and district officials including the SDO (Sadar) and city DSP, emphasized that the viral video circulating on social media had created unnecessary and unwarranted panic among the public.
"The claims based on the viral video on social media were totally misleading and deceptive as there is no truth in the damage to the main structures of the bridge or any of the pillars," Bharati told reporters. "The Vikramshila Setu is thoroughly safe and normal plying of vehicular traffic is going on, and hence there should not be any panic."
Explanation of the Temporary Structure
Bharati provided detailed technical context, explaining that temporary jacket rings are routinely installed around pillars during bridge construction phases. These rings serve a critical function: preventing river debris from accumulating around the pillars and regulating water flow entering the construction site. As standard engineering practice, these temporary structures are removed after the completion of the main structural pillars and other bridge components once the bridge becomes fully operational.
"The Vikramshila bridge had become fully functional in the year 2001," Bharati noted, adding that while these temporary rings should normally have been removed subsequently, they were left in place in this specific instance. "One of the false jacket rings around the main structural pillar was majorly damaged and another jacket ring got partially damaged due to rusting of the iron ring bands, but it has nothing to do with any of the main structural pillars or the top reinforced cement concrete slabs."
District Administration's Response and Expert Assessment
District magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary confirmed that an expert team had been constituted to examine the situation thoroughly. Engineers from the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL), NHAI authorities, and district officials conducted a detailed site inspection after the temporary structure collapsed into the river.
"The engineering experts team has categorically stated that there is no damage to the main structural pillars or the main structures of the Vikramshila Bridge, and hence there should not be any panic," the DM asserted.
Senior project engineer Gyan Chandra Das of BRPNNL at Bhagalpur provided further reassurance, stating that the damaged temporary wall would be broken and removed promptly. He emphasized that this structure was never part of the actual bridge infrastructure and posed no threat to the bridge's integrity.
Appeal Against Social Media Rumours
SDO (Sadar) Vikas Kumar and city DSP Ajay Kumar Choudhary revealed they had been closely monitoring the situation since Friday. They issued a strong appeal to the public, urging people to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media platforms. Officials confirmed they are continuously reviewing the situation with technical experts to ensure complete transparency and public safety.
The Vikramshila Setu, a vital transportation link over the Ganga, continues to function normally with vehicular traffic flowing uninterrupted. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining infrastructure safety while addressing public concerns promptly and accurately.
