Under-Construction Jatinga River Bridge Collapses During Heavy Rains in Assam

Overview

• A section of the bridge over the Jatinga River in Cachar district fell into the water during ongoing construction, cutting the central span between Purandarpur and Badarpur in the Borkhola constituency.
• Relentless rain left large parts of Silchar and nearby Sribhumi waterlogged, with roads, markets, homes, and some schools inundated and one reported electrocution death in the floodwaters.
• Residents alleged the use of poor materials and unscientific methods and called for a high-level probe to determine responsibility if negligence is found.
• Borkhola MLA Kishor Nath said unusually heavy rainfall in upstream hill areas may have driven the failure and planned a site review with Public Works Department officials, with formal findings still pending.
• The project, an RCC bridge under a state road scheme with a budget reported around Rs 10–10.77 crore, had its foundation laid in March 2024 and has renewed concern about building standards in the flood-prone Barak Valley.