Bihar: Parts of defunct iron bridge stolen in Banka

BHAGALPUR: After the recent “theft” of 500-tonne iron bridge in Rohtas district, another bridge is now being “stolen” in bits and pieces in Banka. Theft of several parts of a defunct iron bridge, which was built in Chandan block in Banka in 2004 for the convenience of kanwariyas, has come to light.
The district administration has asked the officials of Chandan block to probe the matter and take action accordingly. The bridge was built to connect the route of kanwariyas with the Patania dharmashala with an expensiture of lakhs of rupees. Sources said the length of the defunct bridge is 80 feet and its width is 15 feet.
Sources added the bridge, built for the ease of pilgrims (kanwariyas) going to Baidyanath Dham at Deoghar from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, was abandoned after a new trek route came up later.
The thieves targeted the bridge after it was abandoned and used gas cutter to uproot several of its parts. According to locals, more than 50% of the parts of the bridge have so far been stolen. Block development officer of Chandan block, Rakesh Kumar, said, “Prima facie, the allegations seem true. We have already submitted the probe report to the senior officials of Banka district administration.”