Bhagalpur: Connectivity between Kosi-Seemanchal, east Bihar and south Bihar, disrupted since the collapse of a portion of the Vikramshila Setu earlier this month, is likely to be restored by the first week of June with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructing a temporary Bailey bridge on a war footing.The BRO began work on the iron-frame Bailey bridge on May 16 at the collapsed section of the bridge over the river Ganga after nearly 33 metres of RCC slab caved in on the intervening night of May 3 and May 4.The collapse snapped the road link between Bhagalpur and the Kosi-Seemanchal region, severely affecting movement of people, trade and transport operations extending to eastern Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and the northeastern states.Following the incident, teams comprising experts from the BRO, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) and the national highway division of the road construction department carried out a structural and safety audit of the bridge. Based on the findings, the BRO decided to install a Bailey bridge to restore traffic at the earliest.Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary said the administration was closely monitoring the construction work round the clock.“Our endeavour is to ensure that the Bailey bridge is completed by the first week of June and starts functioning by June 5,” Choudhary said.He said construction was progressing rapidly and major portions of the temporary structure had already been completed.“In all likelihood, the bridge will be launched within the next few days. Regulated movement of small vehicles and LMVs may start by June 5 to provide relief to people of the region,” he said.Choudhary added that load testing and safety checks would be conducted before traffic movement is allowed on the bridge.He said movement of heavy commercial vehicles would continue through cargo vessels and ships, which are also expected to be commissioned shortly.Earlier, road construction department principal secretary Pankaj Pal, along with senior district officials, the newly appointed divisional commissioner and BRO officials, inspected the progress of the ongoing construction work.
