Vadodara, July 9, 2025 – A catastrophic collapse of the Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Gujarat’s Vadodara district claimed at least 10 lives and injured nine others on Wednesday morning, exposing long-standing concerns about the state’s ageing infrastructure. The 43-year-old bridge, a critical link between Vadodara and Anand districts, gave way during peak traffic hours, sending vehicles—including two trucks, a Bolero SUV, a pickup van, and an autorickshaw—plunging into the river below. The tragedy, described as a “disaster waiting to happen,” has sparked outrage over alleged administrative negligence, with local residents and opposition leaders pointing to ignored warnings about the bridge’s deteriorating condition.
The Incident: A Morning of Horror
At approximately 7:30 AM IST, a 10–15-meter concrete slab between two of the bridge’s 23 piers collapsed, causing vehicles to plummet into the Mahisagar River. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud cracking sound moments before the structure gave way. Fisherman Narendra Mali, working near the river, witnessed the collapse and described the harrowing scene: “The vehicles fell one after the other. We turned our boats towards them and started rescue efforts, but most passengers could not be saved.”
Among the confirmed deceased are Ramesh Padhiyar (32), Vedika Padhiyar (45), Naitik Padhiyar (12), Hasmukh Parmar (32), Vakhatsinh Jadav (26), and Pravin Jadav (26), with three from the same family. Nine injured individuals, including Sonal Padhiyar, who lost her husband and two children, were rushed to SSG Hospital in Vadodara. Rescue operations, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Vadodara Fire Department, and local volunteers, continue to search for potential survivors, with fears that the death toll may rise. A truck was seen precariously dangling from the broken bridge, captured in widely circulated videos that underscored the severity of the collapse.
A Bridge Long Past Its Prime
Constructed in 1981 and opened in 1985, the 900-meter-long Gambhira Bridge, connecting Mujpur in Padra taluka to Gambhira in Anand district, was a vital artery for Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, facilitating the movement of goods, agricultural produce, and commuters. Despite its importance, locals had repeatedly flagged its dilapidated state, noting that it “shook dangerously” when vehicles crossed. In 2017, the Congress party demanded restrictions on heavy vehicles due to visible structural weaknesses, but no significant action was taken. Repair work costing ₹1.75 crore was undertaken in 2019–20, yet residents claim these efforts were inadequate, with potholes and cracks persisting, exacerbated by monsoon rains.
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel maintained that periodic maintenance was conducted, but the sudden collapse has raised questions about the quality of repairs and oversight. A local resident, quoted anonymously by NDTV, called the bridge a “traffic hazard and suicide point,” alleging that repeated complaints to authorities were ignored. The opposition Congress party labeled the incident a reflection of “corruption and decay” in the state’s infrastructure, with MLA Amit Chavda asserting that the government’s inaction directly contributed to the tragedy.
Official Response and Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, calling the loss of lives “deeply saddening” and announcing an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who described the incident as “deeply distressing,” ordered a high-level probe led by the Roads and Buildings Department, including a Chief Engineer and two private bridge construction experts, to investigate the collapse’s cause. The state government also pledged ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, alongside free medical treatment.
Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya emphasized that rescue operations were the immediate priority, with traffic diverted to alternate routes like Vasad for heavy vehicles and Umeta for light vehicles. The collapse has disrupted connectivity between Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, and Saurashtra, doubling or tripling travel times for commuters and impacting trade and agriculture.
A Pattern of Infrastructure Failures
The Gambhira Bridge collapse is not an isolated incident in Gujarat. In 2022, the Morbi suspension bridge collapse killed 132 people, exposing systemic issues in infrastructure maintenance. More recently, on November 5, 2024, an under-construction bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project in Anand district collapsed, killing three workers. These incidents have fueled criticism of the “Gujarat Model” of development, with posts on X accusing the state of prioritizing optics over accountability. One user, @theskindoctor13, noted that a local outlet had reported the bridge’s poor condition in April 2025, urging its closure for repairs, while @INCIndia highlighted years of unheeded warnings.
The IAF’s Jaguar crashes, including one in Jamnagar on April 2, 2025, and another in Churu, Rajasthan, on July 9, 2025, further highlight Gujarat’s infrastructure and safety challenges. The Jaguar crashes, attributed to ageing aircraft, mirror the bridge collapse in underscoring the risks of relying on outdated systems.
Critical Analysis and Future Implications
The Gambhira Bridge collapse exposes a systemic failure in infrastructure governance. While officials claim regular maintenance, the bridge’s documented issues—cracks, potholes, and instability—suggest superficial repairs and inadequate
Last Updated on: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 4:27 pm by Lok Ram | Published by: Lok Ram on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 4:27 pm | News Categories: General
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