On Wednesday morning, a major tragedy struck Vadodara when a section of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River suddenly collapsed. So far, it has been reported that nine people have lost their lives, and seven others have been injured. According to preliminary reports, a truck, a van, and a car were passing over the bridge at the time of the incident, which occurred around 7:30 AM. The catastrophic event took place between Padra and Mujpur, approximately 25 kilometers from Vadodara city.
In a conversation with the media, Vadodara (Rural) SP Rohan Anand confirmed the deaths of nine individuals. Anand’s MP Mitesh Patel stated that four bodies were recovered from the river during rescue operations, and four people were rescued. Rescue efforts are still ongoing.
A fire department official told the media that around three vehicles were crossing the bridge at the time of the collapse, and they plunged into the river. Social media videos from the incident site show a truck in a precarious state, hanging near the collapsed section. According to a report citing Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, five to six vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Another report mentioned a rickshaw among the vehicles. The Gambhira Bridge is a vital link connecting Central Gujarat to Saurashtra.
Following the tragedy, locals joined the administration in rescue operations. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) promptly arrived at the site to assist. The Gambhira Bridge, approximately 900 meters long, saw one of its 23 sections collapse, as visible in photographs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He paid tributes to the deceased and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the victims. Additionally, ₹50,000 was announced for the injured.
Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to gather details about the incident. Patel shared on the social media platform X, in English, “During my foreign visit, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke to me over the telephone and gathered all the information about the Gambhira Bridge accident connecting Anand-Vadodara. He paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the accident.”
Patel has directed technical experts to investigate and determine the cause of the collapse. The Roads and Buildings Department was also instructed to conduct a detailed inquiry. In discussions with the Vadodara Collector, Patel ensured that immediate medical treatment is provided to the injured.
The construction of the Gambhira Bridge began in 1981, and it was opened for public use in 1985. It is said to have undergone regular maintenance. However, the bridge’s condition was reportedly poor, and three months ago, ₹212 crore was allocated for the construction of a new bridge due to increasing traffic demands. The design and tendering process for the new bridge had already begun.
Notably, in 2017, the Congress party had demanded a ban on heavy vehicles using the bridge, a demand that was ignored. The Gambhira Bridge collapse once again raises serious concerns about the neglect of the country’s infrastructure, particularly the continued use of aging bridges.
