Local Outcry Over Neglected Bridge and Illegal Sand Mining After Fatal Collapse

The collapse of the old iron bridge in Purnia has sparked anger among locals who accuse authorities of ignoring both the unsafe condition of the bridge and rampant illegal sand mining in the area. The overloaded truck, carrying sand extracted without permits, was the immediate trigger, but residents say the root cause lies in decades of neglect.

With the bridge out of service, people are forced to consider crossing the swollen Paraman River by boat, especially risky during the monsoon season. The district’s Rural Development Department dispatched a technical team to assess the damage, while the Sub‑Divisional Rescue Force (SDRF) has been tasked with emergency relief and rescue operations.

Community members are demanding that the pending concrete bridge be fast‑tracked and that stricter enforcement be applied to heavy‑vehicle traffic and unauthorized sand extraction.