A major fire broke out on the JP Setu, also known as the JP Ganga bridge connecting Patna and Sonepur, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, after a high-speed collision between a car and a pickup van. The incident led to a complete halt of traffic, resulting in a massive jam stretching up to 10 kilometers on both sides of the bridge.

According to eyewitness reports, the car, traveling from Hajipur, was moving at a high speed when it rear-ended the pickup truck, which had braked suddenly. The impact of the collision caused the car to immediately burst into flames. Fortunately, all three occupants of the car and the driver of the pickup truck managed to escape their vehicles just moments before the fire intensified.

Emergency services, including police and fire brigade teams, were promptly dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they immediately halted traffic on the JP Setu to prevent further accidents and to allow the firefighters to tackle the blaze. Several fire trucks were involved in the operation, and after considerable effort, the fire was brought under control. However, both vehicles were completely destroyed by the fire, reduced to charred remains.

The incident caused significant disruption to traffic flow on the JP Setu, a crucial route for commuters traveling between Patna and the surrounding areas. With vehicles stranded on both sides of the bridge, a massive traffic jam quickly formed, stretching for approximately 10 kilometers. Many commuters found themselves stuck for hours, leading to considerable inconvenience and frustration. Some individuals even abandoned their vehicles to walk across the bridge in an attempt to reach their destinations.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident. While overspeeding is suspected to be a contributing factor, police are also examining other potential causes. The focus remains on clearing the wreckage and restoring normal traffic flow as quickly as possible. As of Thursday evening, efforts were underway to remove the damaged vehicles from the bridge and assess any structural damage to the bridge itself.

This incident highlights the persistent traffic challenges in Patna, particularly on major routes like the JP Setu and Gandhi Setu. Traffic jams on these bridges are a recurring issue, causing daily struggles for commuters.