Bridge Collapse Cuts Off 150+ Villages in Jharkhand’s Jamtara

Jamtara  – A crucial bridge connecting over 150 villages in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district to the main town collapsed on Tuesday, disrupting all direct access to the district headquarters.

The Dakshin Bahal bridge, which linked Jamtara with Deoghar, gave way due to the strong river current following relentless rainfall. Built in 1980 with stone boulders, the bridge had been serving locals for decades.

Authorities had limited traffic to only two-wheelers after heavy rain damaged the bridge on July 18. Despite the restriction, the structure ultimately collapsed, bringing transportation to a standstill.

What was once a half-kilometer journey for villagers to reach schools, hospitals, and markets will now require a detour of 15–20 km.

The collapse has severely affected life in the area, which falls under Health Minister Irfan Ansari’s constituency. Students, laborers, and patients are among the worst impacted.

Thousands of vehicles once crossed the bridge daily. Its collapse has halted all such movement, sparking concerns about delays in medical emergencies and economic losses.

District officials rushed to the site after the collapse. Locals have been cautioned to stay away from the rubble, as the river remains swollen.

“We’re barricading the area and coordinating with relevant departments to create a temporary route and begin work on a new bridge,” said SDM Anant Kumar.

Residents are now demanding immediate relief and fast construction of an alternative connection before the monsoon worsens the situation.

With inputs from IANS