In a decisive move following a serious ropeway accident during a trial run, the Bihar government has suspended two engineers and blacklisted the constructing agency. State Road Construction Department Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal announced the strict actions on Tuesday, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards safety lapses.
Investigation Uncovers Safety Violations
The incident that triggered the crackdown occurred on December 26 at Rohtasgarh in the Kaimur hills. A ropeway connecting Rohtas Nagar Panchayat with Rohiteshwar Dham collapsed while undergoing trials, just days before its scheduled public opening on January 1. Minister Jaiswal, speaking to the Times of India, revealed that a probe committee found clear violations of mandatory safety protocols.
The investigation revealed that engineers and experts from the agency were absent from the site on the day of the incident, a critical breach of procedure. Jaiswal detailed that while trials began on December 19 with officials present, after successful runs for three to four days, site supervision was neglected. "The trial started from Dec 19 and during the trial, engineers and experts were at the spot. However, after successful trials for three to four days, engineers did not go to the site, and on the day of the incident, engineers and experts from the agency were not present, which was a violation of safety concerns," the minister stated.
Immediate Actions and Statewide Impact
Consequently, the state has ordered the suspension of one project engineer and one junior engineer. The company responsible for constructing the 1,326-metre-long ropeway, which features 18 cabins with a four-person capacity each, has been blacklisted. Chandreshekhar Singh, Chairman of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited, confirmed that a three-member team led by Managing Director Jitendra Kumar visited the accident site for a preliminary investigation. Materials from the site have been sent to a laboratory for testing.
The government's response extends beyond this single project. Minister Jaiswal declared an immediate halt to the construction of two other ropeways in the state—one at Prithshila in Gaya district and the other in the Barabar hills in Jehanabad district. Work will resume only after their safety is rigorously vetted.
IIT Patna to Lead Comprehensive Safety Audit
To ensure structural integrity and prevent future tragedies, the state has commissioned IIT Patna to conduct a detailed safety audit of the Rohtasgarh ropeway structure. This audit will specifically assess the quality and strength of the supporting towers. The findings will likely set a new benchmark for safety standards in similar tourism and infrastructure projects across Bihar.
This series of actions underscores the administration's heightened focus on public safety and accountability in infrastructure projects. The halt on all ongoing ropeway work until certified safe reflects a cautious approach, prioritizing citizen welfare over project deadlines.
