Overview
- Inspections in Bhagalpur found no defect in the bridge’s load‑bearing structure after video showed damage to outer protection around multiple pillars.
- Senior Project Engineer Gyan Chandra Das said the collapsed portion was a non-structural ‘false wall’ or jacketing and not part of the core framework.
- District Magistrate Naval Kishore Choudhary ordered an inquiry, called for expert evaluation, and noted the bridge could be closed temporarily if required.
- Officials plan to remove remaining temporary elements and continue micro-assessments, with SDO Vikas Kumar stating reports of damage to pillar 19 were incorrect.
- Traffic continued over the 4.4–4.7 km link between NH‑80 and NH‑31 as local reports cited Ganga currents and erosion for the damage, drawing criticism from opposition leaders Ajit Sharma and Manoj Kumar Jha.