Night‑time collapse at Majhauli Chowk, no casualties reported
A section of heavy shuttering installed for the construction of a flyover on the Muzaffarpur‑Darbhanga four‑lane highway (NH‑27) gave way on Sunday night at Majhauli Chowk in Muzaffarpur district, officials said. The incident occurred at about 10.45pm while concrete casting work was underway near the Bochahan police station area.
Police and staff of the construction agency reached the site after being alerted and began clearing the fallen shuttering and debris from the carriageway. Local authorities said there were no casualties, a circumstance they attributed to the late hour when traffic and pedestrian movement were limited.
“The collapse produced a loud noise and triggered panic in the area,” the report said.
Concerns about timing and safety measures
Officials said the collapse could have had far greater consequences if it had occurred during the day, when Majhauli Chowk witnesses heavy traffic and pedestrian movement. The construction agency has launched an internal examination to determine the immediate cause, while police are keeping the site under observation.
Questions have been raised about adherence to safety protocols on the project, and whether adequate temporary supports and site supervision were in place during the casting operation on a busy national highway.
New bridge showing early distress — context from neighbouring East Champaran
Separately, cracks have been reported on the approach road of the Manjuraha‑Hardiya bridge in East Champaran — about 20 days after its inauguration. The approximately 72‑metre‑long, 7.5‑metre‑wide RCC bridge at Berua Ghat was inaugurated by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on September 1. The project was reported to have cost around ₹13 crore.
The appearance of cracks so soon after opening adds to local anxieties about construction quality in the region and will likely prompt technical inspections of the structure and approach works.
Immediate priorities and expected follow‑up
Authorities have outlined the following immediate actions and concerns:
- Clearing debris from Majhauli Chowk to restore normal traffic flow on NH‑27.
- An inquiry by the construction agency into the shuttering collapse to identify lapses in formwork, load calculations or workmanship.
- Technical inspection of the Manjuraha‑Hardiya bridge approach to assess the cause of cracks and whether remedial work is required.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location of collapse | Majhauli Chowk, Muzaffarpur (NH‑27) |
| Time | Around 10.45pm (Sunday) |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Nearby bridge | Manjuraha‑Hardiya bridge (East Champaran), cost ~ ₹13 crore |
Local impact and broader implications
The incidents come at a sensitive time for road infrastructure projects in and around Muzaffarpur. The Muzaffarpur‑Darbhanga highway is an important arterial route for commuters and goods movement; any lapse in construction safety risks disrupting travel and commerce.
Local residents and traders at Majhauli Chowk expressed concern that a collapse during peak hours could have caused severe loss of life and property. Contractors and engineering teams now face pressure to demonstrate adherence to specifications and to subject newly completed structures to rigorous post‑construction audits.
Police have continued to monitor the site while the construction agency and relevant technical authorities carry out inspections and report their findings to district officials.
Further updates are expected as the agencies complete their examinations and decide on any corrective measures or regulatory action.
