New Araria Galgalia rail bridge develops cracks within a year of launch

The newly constructed Araria Galgalia rail section is facing serious safety concerns after cracks appeared on bridge number BR 5 at Buaribad just one year after its inauguration. Passengers and local residents are now questioning the construction quality and overall rail safety on this major route under the Katihar railway division.

Key highlights of the issue:
- Bridge number BR 5 located between Araria Court and Rahmatnagar stations has developed visible cracks on its pillars and slabs.
- The ambitious railway project was built at a massive cost of Rs 4,410 crore and was flagged off by local MP Pradeep Kumar Singh.
- Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe rain cuts on the approach road, leading to minor track sinking at multiple locations.

Safety Concerns and Quality Questions

Local residents and public representatives have expressed deep concern over the rapid deterioration of the infrastructure. Ward councillor Shyam Kumar Mandal stated that the cracks on the pillars and slabs within just twelve months pose a major threat to running trains and invite serious accidents. Regular commuters and locals including Bhupen Yadav and Amit Kumar Jha have demanded an immediate inspection and urgent repair work by railway authorities to ensure passenger safety.

Impact on Future Train Operations

Although only a few local trains currently operate on the Araria Galgalia route, residents have been demanding the introduction of long-distance express trains and Rajdhani services. Experts warn that if the bridge and approach tracks are not repaired promptly, it could severely disrupt even the existing train operations. Locals have urged railway officials, MPs, and local MLAs to intervene immediately, enhance track monitoring, and fix the structural defects before any untoward incident occurs.