Sasaram: The Dehri railway overbridge, once a vital link between Dehri and Dalmianagar, has remained shut since 2023 for repair and strengthening work, forcing commuters to take longer routes and sparking public resentment. In a striking contrast, the bridge was built in just two years, but its repair has remained incomplete for more than three-and-a-half years.The bridge was constructed within two years of then chief minister Nitish Kumar laying its foundation stone in 2011. However, structural defects surfaced soon after it became operational. Fresh safety concerns later prompted the Railways to close it in 2023 for extensive repairs and strengthening.Residents said that the prolonged closure had disrupted daily life and affected local businesses, while repeated reopening deadlines have passed without any visible progress.Public frustration has deepened as the closed bridge has turned into a dumping ground. Heaps of garbage and waste lie strewn across the bridge deck, highlighting the lack of maintenance and monitoring by the authorities. Residents said the neglected structure reflects official apathy towards one of the region’s most important transport links.Meanwhile, Kumar Jainendra, senior section engineer in the railway construction department, said, “The repair work is technically complex and is being carried out in phases to ensure the long-term safety of the structure. The project involves replacing the damaged waterproofing system, strengthening the deck slab, repairing steel components, resurfacing the bridge and improving drainage to prevent water seepage that weakened the structure over time.”He added that repairs to six piers and the steel deck have been completed, while piling work for additional support piers is underway. “The remaining work will be completed at the earliest,” he said, urging commuters to bear the inconvenience in the interest of public safety.Despite these assurances, public resentment continues to grow as the bridge remains shut well beyond the expected deadline. Residents have urged the railways and the district administration to expedite the remaining work, clear the accumulated garbage and reopen the bridge without further delay.
