Bihar govt to use AI, ML for bridge maintenance after series of collapses
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ETInfra
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NEW DELHI: The Bihar government has formulated ' Bihar State Bridge Management and Maintenance Policy , 2025' as per which artificial intelligence and machine learning technology will be utilised for undertaking maintenance of bridges in the state as part of digital audit initiative.'For management and maintenance of bridges, 'Bihar State Bridge Management & Maintenance Policy, 2025' has been approved by the Cabinet and it has come into effect dated 06.06.2025. This Policy is a long term bridge maintenance policy for all bridges and culverts on the roads belonging to the Road Construction Department,' said a presentation outlining the policy framework, a copy of which was seen by ET Infra.The policy framework has been released after the Supreme Court took cognisance of several incidents of bridges collapsing in Munger, Patna districts among others, in the last few years. According to a report by The Hindu, a petition filed in the Supreme Court had called for formulation of a mechanism or policy which mandates real time audit of bridges in the state.The policy framework outlined that while undertaking digital health assessment of bridges , data collection via visual inspection utilising sensors and drones will be undertaken along with use of 3D digital twins.'Digital Bridge Safety Audit of Bairihari Ghat Bridge on river Kareh in the district of Samastipur, has been awarded to M/S Vital Environment India Private Limited, Gurgaon,' the document stated.'They have conducted the Digital Safety Audit and the report will be submitted using Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) based software and on the basis of the detailed report, the repairing/ retrofitting work shall be done by the BRPNNL (Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd) through another contractor.' it added.According to the document, in the state, a total number of 12,065 culverts have been physically surveyed as part of a safety audit. Out of the total surveyed, 96 are damaged culverts wherein 4 need reconstruction and 92 need special repair. Additionally, the total number of bridges physically surveyed were at 743, out of which damaged bridges are 29 in number, which need special repair.Additionally, Indian Institute of Technology Patna and Delhi, have been awarded the work to undertake third Party Safety Audit of 45 bridges and 40 bridges respectively, located at Patna, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger, Jamui, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Lakhisarai, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, West and east Champaran, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi.
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