The Supreme Court transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning recurring bridge collapses in Bihar to the Patna High Court, emphasizing the necessity of continuous judicial monitoring. The Court noted that while the State of Bihar had provided details of ongoing inspections, the High Court would be better positioned to oversee further proceedings and ensure accountability.
The matter arose from a PIL seeking the formation of a high-level expert committee to investigate the frequent collapses of bridges in Bihar. The petitioner urged a comprehensive structural audit to identify weak infrastructures requiring demolition or reinforcement. The PIL was filed in July 2024 following reports of at least nine bridge collapses, including under-construction bridges, raising serious concerns about public safety, particularly in a flood-prone state like Bihar.
The petitioner contended that Bihar, being the most flood-prone state in India, faces heightened risks due to failing bridge infrastructure. The PIL emphasized that the state government had not conducted any third-party inspections despite multiple incidents of structural failures. The petitioner also pointed out the failure of authorities to ensure real-time monitoring, advocating for the application of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' methodology for preserving infrastructure, as per its policy dated March 4, 2024.
During the proceedings, the Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, scrutinized the counter affidavit filed by the State of Bihar. The CJI verbally noted that, "We have gone through the counter, and we are transferring this to the Patna High Court. The affidavit details the inspections and measures being taken." Justice Kumar further remarked, "Three under-construction bridges collapsed. Officials were suspended briefly and reinstated. This suggests a deeper issue of accountability."
The Counsel for Bihar responded that departmental proceedings had been initiated against the responsible officials, and over 10,000 bridges had undergone inspection. However, the Court found it appropriate to transfer the case to the Patna High Court, observing, "The High Court shall monitor the matter on a monthly basis."
Considering the gravity of the matter, the Supreme Court directed the Registry to transfer the petition to the Patna High Court within four weeks. The parties were instructed to appear before the High Court on May 14, 2025. The High Court was entrusted with conducting expeditious hearings and overseeing the implementation of necessary measures to ensure bridge safety and prevent further structural failures.
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