Something is rotten in the state of Bihar

Bridges in Bihar are collapsing like ninepins. As many as 10 have collapsed in Kishanganj, Araria, East Champaran, Madhubani, Siwan and Saran districts since June 18, thankfully without fatalities or injuries. Over 16 engineers of the Water Resources Department (WRD) responsible for these structures have been suspended. Last week, Nitish Kumar instructed officials to survey all old bridges and identify those requiring immediate repairs. Why didn't the government take this routine step the monsoon season? Or will 'third world' infrastructure remain as the new 'old normal'?

Officials gave two key reasons for these disasters: poor quality of construction and the materials used in building and maintaining bridges, and unscientific dredging and desilting of stretches of rivers, which removed mud, rocks and other material from around the pillars on which some bridges stood. The latter left the bridges without any kind of base and vulnerable to rainwater flowing at a frenetic speed after rains. All these explanations prove one thing: rotten governance. If a large retinue of bureaucrats can't ensure regular maintenance of infrastructure according to scientific guidelines, woe betide the state of Bihar.

Infrastructure collapse isn't just a structure crashing down. It's the collapse of a lifeline for many people and can have a deep impact on local development. Every bridge or road collapse may mean critical patients can't be taken to hospitals, students unable to go to school and missing exams, missed job interviews, and crucial aid vehicles unable to reach cut-off villages. Such losses of time and opportunities are never calculated or compensated by the state. How strange is it that the state values its own citizens so little.