A bizarre yet deeply alarming incident has cast a shadow over Bihar's much-hyped infrastructure development efforts. Just days after its grand inauguration, the ₹422-crore double-decker flyover in Patna—a first of its kind in the state—has found itself at the centre of controversy and concern, thanks to a viral video showing children removing nuts and bolts from its structure.

This incident has triggered outrage across social media, concerns from safety experts, and questions over construction quality, public access controls, and the sustainability of large-scale infrastructure projects in Bihar.

The Incident: Caught on Camera

In a short but shocking clip circulating across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), a group of young boys is seen casually unscrewing bolts and removing nuts from what is clearly a section of the newly inaugurated flyover.

The bridge, which was opened to the public on June 11, 2025, had just been inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. It was built at a cost of ₹422 crore by the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited.

The flyover spans from Kargil Chowk near Gandhi Maidan to Science College, passing along Ashok Rajpath and PMCH (Patna Medical College and Hospital). The double-decker design is aimed at easing Patna’s chronic traffic woes and integrating with the upcoming Patna Metro network.

Social Media Reactions and Public Outrage

The video, shared by several users on X, instantly gained traction. One user posted:

“Patna's double-decker flyover was opened on June 11, and these kids are seen removing its nuts and bolts. A Serious Safety Hazard! They don’t appear local, possibly Bangladeshi!”

Though the comment about the children's origins sparked its own controversy, the focus soon shifted to the integrity of the structure and questions about the materials used.

A particularly pointed comment read:

“What kind of nuts can be opened using only hands?”

Another user added:

“Really? Anyone can open it? Wow... well thought and built then.”

Safety and Surveillance Failures

The core concern emerging from this incident isn’t just vandalism by unsupervised children, but the glaring lapses in post-construction monitoring and security of such a high-profile public asset.

Given that only three days had passed since the official inauguration, this breach raises troubling questions:

• Was the quality of the nuts and bolts compromised?

• Was no one tasked with safeguarding the bridge during early operations?

• Why was no surveillance camera or on-ground security present to deter such actions?

A structure meant to ease the congestion of a metropolitan city should ideally be protected—not just during construction, but particularly after inauguration, when it's most vulnerable to misuse and unanticipated tampering.

Flyover's Strategic Importance

The double-decker flyover is considered a flagship project by the Nitish Kumar government. During the June 11 inauguration, the Chief Minister emphasized its potential to reduce travel time, boost connectivity, and complement the Patna Metro, which is currently under development.

From Kargil Chowk to Science College, the bridge runs above one of Patna's busiest thoroughfares—Ashok Rajpath, a stretch notorious for congestion due to dense institutional presence, including PMCH, Patna University, and government offices.

It was touted as a marvel of modern engineering and an example of the state’s developmental leap. However, the viral video has not only tarnished the achievement but also raised existential questions about long-term infrastructure safety.

Official Response and Inquiries Awaited

As of now, there has been no official response from the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited (BSBCCL) or the state government. Neither Chief Minister Nitish Kumar nor any minister from the Urban Development and Housing Department has issued a statement addressing the video.

However, public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of:

• An urgent technical inspection of the entire flyover.

• An audit of construction materials, especially the fasteners and joints.

• The installation of CCTV cameras and deployment of guards.

In a region where corruption scandals in construction projects are not unheard of, the silence from officials has only added to the growing concern.

Public Infrastructure and Public Accountability

India has witnessed several high-profile infrastructure collapses in recent decades, often attributed to a lack of regular maintenance, substandard materials, or poor workmanship. Flyovers, in particular, have become symbolic of both urban development and engineering neglect.

With the Patna flyover’s future now in question, this incident could serve as a case study in why civil infrastructure cannot end with ribbon-cutting ceremonies. It requires:

• Periodic maintenance audits

• Post-occupancy evaluations

• Citizen vigilance coupled with institutional accountability

The removal of bolts—even by children—suggests either cheap quality fixtures or a structural oversight, both of which are unacceptable.

Children or Symbol of Something Bigger?

While the presence of children in the act has somewhat diverted attention, it also reflects a deeper issue—unregulated access to critical infrastructure.

Children should not have been able to:

• Reach such high points on the structure,

• Identify and tamper with bolts,

• Or do so without anyone intervening.

If juvenile mischief can lead to potential structural failure, imagine the risk posed by more malicious actors.

This brings us to an uncomfortable question: How secure are our cities’ new infrastructure assets against real threats—be it vandalism, sabotage, or terror-related mischief?

Next Steps: A Call for Action

To restore public confidence and avoid further embarrassment, the following steps are being recommended by engineers, citizens, and watchdog groups:

1. Immediate safety inspection by an independent civil engineering authority.

2. Installation of smart surveillance systems across major flyovers in Bihar.

3. Review and re-tendering of material suppliers involved in such major public projects.

4. Mandatory post-inauguration maintenance teams, especially for newly opened assets.

Unless such steps are taken, the trust deficit created by this one video may damage not just the flyover’s reputation, but that of Bihar’s infrastructure ambitions as a whole.

Conclusion

The viral video showing children removing nuts and bolts from Bihar's ₹422-crore Patna double-decker flyover may appear as minor mischief on the surface, but it exposes a major flaw in the approach to public infrastructure in India.

It is a reminder that development is not merely about laying concrete—it is about ensuring its safety, maintenance, and relevance to the people it’s built for. The fact that such a high-value structure could be tampered with so easily calls for urgent introspection at both technical and administrative levels.

If ignored, this seemingly trivial episode could pave the way for more catastrophic consequences. If addressed correctly, however, it might be the wake-up call Bihar needs to instill robust safety practices, secure construction methods, and transparent post-project oversight—the real markers of a truly developed society.

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