Gap detected on Gopalganj bridge, IIT & NIT teams asked to inspect

Patna: Days after a slab collapse on the Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur, another bridge scare emerged in the state on Saturday after a 7-9 inch gap was detected between two slabs of the Yadupur-Mangalpur Mahasetu over the Gandak river in Gopalganj district.The gap apparently developed due to spacing between spans near the bridge’s fifth pillar, prompting the administration to seek an inspection by experts from IIT Patna and NIT Patna.The 1.92-km bridge, popularly known as the Gopalganj-Bettiah Mahasetu, connects Gopalganj and West Champaran districts.During a pre-flood inspection visit, Gopalganj DM Pawan Kumar Sinha inspected the site along with engineers.“A request has been sent for a visit and inspection of the bridge and the spot by teams of experts from NIT Patna and IIT Patna, or a team of specialists and experts. A 7-9 inch gap has developed due to the spacing of the spans. The team of experts would make a detailed inspection of the spot and also submit its report,” Sinha said in a video statement released by the district public relations office.The administration has stopped the movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge as a precautionary measure.“For the intervening period, the plying of heavy vehicles on the Mahasetu has been stopped for security reasons. The heavy vehicles might lead to further increase in the gap, consequently some more damage, and accidents, too, can occur. Therefore, their plying has been stopped. Only small vehicles are allowed to run on the bridge,” Sinha said.The bridge was opened for public use in 2016 at a cost of around Rs 600 crore and significantly reduced the travel distance between Gopalganj and Bettiah.Meanwhile, another bridge concern surfaced in Araria district, where cracks were found in the railings of the Jhamta-Mahishakol bridge over the Parman river. Heavy vehicles have been barred from using the bridge pending inspection by senior engineers.