Rs 37 crore Shravasti bridge faces collapse as Rapti river erodes approach road

A bridge built at a cost of Rs 37.52 crore in Shravasti is now facing imminent danger as the rapid flow of the Rapti river threatens to wash away its approach road. The Siswarā Ghāt bridge, connecting the Gilaulā-Bhingā route, could lose connectivity at any moment, putting dozens of villages at risk.

The Setu Nigam, the agency responsible for bridge construction and maintenance, attempted to prevent erosion by deploying bamboo sticks and sacks filled with mud. However, these makeshift arrangements proved no match for the river's powerful current and were swept away like straw. The approach road to the bridge has already begun to erode, and the entire structure now stands vulnerable to collapse.

The massive expenditure of over Rs 37 crore appears to have been undermined by what locals describe as corruption and negligence. The so-called protective measures, bamboo poles and mud sacks, have been washed away in the strong current, leaving the bridge exposed to the river's force.

The failure of these inadequate protection efforts has not only wasted public funds but also endangered the safety of thousands of villagers who depend on this crucial connection. With the approach road continuing to erode, the threat of the bridge collapsing looms large, potentially severing the vital link between numerous villages in the region.

The situation at Siswarā Ghāt exposes serious questions about the quality of construction oversight and the adequacy of erosion control measures for a project of this scale and cost.