NEW DELHI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 engineers were suspended Friday by the local government of India's eastern state of Bihar following a series of bridge collapse incidents in over a fortnight, officials said.
The decision to suspend the engineers from water resources and rural works departments for their alleged negligence was taken after a probe panel submitted its report to the local government.
The local government has also issued show cause notices to two construction companies, asking them why they should not be blacklisted.
At least 12 bridges have collapsed across Bihar's seven districts. However, no casualties have been reported in these incidents.
The local government is also verifying the role of contractors.
On Wednesday Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a survey of all old bridges in the state to identify those requiring urgent repairs. Kumar also called for improved bridge maintenance policies from both the road construction and rural works departments. ■
