Seven workers were injured after a concrete slab and a beam launcher collapsed during the construction of a six-lane bridge in Bihar's Vaishali district on Thursday. The bridge is being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as part of a major road connectivity project. The injured workers were taken to a government hospital for treatment, with officials stating that their injuries were minor.

District Magistrate Varsha Singh confirmed that seven people were injured in the incident. According to the official, the workers received medical attention at a government hospital and their injuries were not considered serious. The incident occurred at the construction site while work was underway on the bridge, prompting authorities to assess the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the safety arrangements at the site.

NHAI, in a statement, said the incident occurred while a launcher was being shifted during construction work on NH-139W. The agency clarified that there was no damage to the bridge structure as a result of the incident. NHAI also said it remained committed to maintaining construction quality and ensuring the safety of workers involved in the project.

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The highway authority said safety standards and protocols at the construction site were being strictly reassessed following the incident. It added that measures would be reviewed to prevent similar occurrences during the remaining construction work. The agency also reiterated its intention to complete the project within the stipulated timeline while maintaining the required quality and safety standards.

Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the NDA government over the incident and raised concerns about construction practices. He alleged that the use of substandard materials and irregularities in inspections could be among the reasons for repeated bridge-related incidents in the state. His comments have added a political dimension to the incident as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

The project forms part of a nearly 38.8-km road corridor connecting Bakarpur in Saran district with Manikpur in Muzaffarpur district through Lalganj in Vaishali district. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the concrete slab and beam launcher to collapse and whether all required safety measures were in place at the construction site. The findings are expected to establish the circumstances leading to the incident and guide further safety measures.

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