New Delhi: Vikramshila Setu which connects north and south Bihar and is a key bridge over the river Ganga in Bihar is on the verge of collapse. The bridge is important for the state as it connects key areas to the Seemanchal region and also caters to traffic movement from the state to Assam and other northeastern regions of the country via Jharkhand.
Damage to protective walls of bridge
According to a report in the Times of India, the bridge, which is already burdened with heavy traffic, has now also been damaged. Cracks have begun to show on one of the walls of the bridge. The wall is a kind of protective gear for one of the pillars of the bridge.
VIDEO | Bhagalpur, Bihar: The condition of Vikramshila Setu, considered the lifeline for millions of people in eastern Bihar and the Seemanchal region, is deteriorating day by day. The protection wall (false wall) that safeguards the pillars of this massive bridge has started… pic.twitter.com/0nrKwfoHLp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 21, 2026
A false wall built to protect the pillars of the bridge from erosion has started to collapse. While the protective gear around one of the pillars has been completely destroyed, that around 2 others is also damaged.
The condition of the bridge and the damages it has suffered has led to questions around safety of vehicles which use this bridge. A large volume of traffic flows through this road everyday and any damage to the structure could have a severe impact on the movement of vehicles.
Administration grappling with large volume of vehicles passing through Vikramshila Setu
While the bridge’s condition continues to be a matter of concern, the administration is still grappling with the large volume of traffic passing through the area. They are using CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic on this route.
Heavy traffic jams and chaos are common and several police personnel have been deployed along the route to help manage the traffic.
The Vikramshila Setu links Bhagalpur on NH- 80 with Naugachia on NH- 31.
While traffic management is also essential, the Bihar government and the district administration must also take into account the structural damages that the bridge has suffered.
PTI quoted Bhagalpur DM Dr Naval Kishore Choudhary, as saying, “We will inquire about the issue and whatever action needed following the inquiry will be taken after consulting the concerned department. We will also call the expert team and take further action on their recommendations.”