A major scare unfolded in Bhagalpur on the Vikramshila Setu after a concrete slab between two pillars of the bridge suddenly collapsed and fell into the Ganga River, prompting authorities to immediately halt traffic and divert movement. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident, as the affected section was cleared in time.

The incident occurred late at night when a slab near pier number 133 reportedly gave way following an initial failure in an expansion joint. Officials said a 10-inch expansion joint had first subsided earlier in the evening, raising concerns about structural stress on the bridge. Later, around 12:35 am, the slab collapsed into the river, creating panic among commuters and authorities.

District administration and police teams rushed to the site soon after the incident. Bhagalpur District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police Pramod Kumar Yadav, and other senior officials including SDM, DSPs, and traffic police personnel reached the location and took immediate control of the situation. Authorities quickly halted traffic movement on the bridge and began evacuating people from the surrounding area as a precaution.

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According to officials, the alertness of police personnel helped prevent a potential disaster, as the slab fell shortly after evacuation efforts began. At the time of the collapse, there were no vehicles on the affected portion of the bridge. Following the incident, the Vikramshila Setu was completely sealed from both the Bhagalpur and Naugachhia ends, and traffic was diverted through alternative routes, including a longer detour via Munger for connectivity.

The Vikramshila Setu is a crucial transport link connecting Bhagalpur to the Seemanchal region and beyond, serving thousands of commuters daily. It reportedly handles traffic exceeding 30,000 vehicles and connects multiple districts, making it one of the most important road bridges in the region. The sudden disruption has caused significant inconvenience and raised concerns over safety and maintenance.

Officials noted that early indications point to structural issues in the expansion joints, which had shown signs of wear earlier. Previous concerns have been raised about maintenance and integrity of the bridge, as recurring gaps in expansion joints had been observed over time.Authorities have initiated a technical inspection to determine the exact cause of the collapse, while restoration and repair work will be planned after a detailed assessment. For now, the bridge remains closed, and officials are monitoring traffic diversion arrangements to ensure smooth movement in the affected region.

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