Gambhira Bridge Collapses in Gujarat, Claiming Nine Lives
Eyewitnesses reported a loud cracking sound moments before the collapse, with vehicles vanishing into the Mahisagar River within seconds.
VADODARA (Gujarat )- A catastrophic collapse of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has left at least nine people dead and six injured, plunging the region into mourning.
The incident occurred around 7:30 AM on Wednesday, when a section of the 900-meter-long bridge, connecting Anand and Vadodara districts, gave way without warning, sending four vehicles—including two trucks, a Bolero SUV, and a pickup van—plummeting into the swollen river below.
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Eyewitnesses reported a loud cracking sound moments before the collapse, with vehicles vanishing into the Mahisagar River within seconds. Among the victims were Ramesh Padhiyar, Vedika Padhiyar, and Naitaik Padhiyar, a family from Dariyapura village, along with Hasmukh Parmar, Vakhatsinh Jadav, and Pravin Jadav, among others.
Rescue operations, led by the Vadodara district administration, local police, and fire brigade, were swiftly mobilized, battling strong river currents to retrieve survivors and recover bodies. So far, six individuals have been rescued and nine bodies recovered, with fears that more may be trapped.
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The Gambhira Bridge, constructed in 1985, was a vital link between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, serving commuters from Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, and Ankleshwar. Locals have long flagged the bridge’s dilapidated condition, alleging neglect by authorities, with some even calling it a “traffic hazard” and “suicide point.” The collapse has disrupted connectivity, forcing rerouting through alternate paths like Umeta and Vasad.
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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences and ordered an immediate probe into the incident, dispatching a team of technical experts to investigate the cause. The state government announced ₹4 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief, 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.
This tragedy has reignited memories of the 2022 Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, which claimed 135 lives, raising fresh concerns about the maintenance of aging infrastructure across India. A 2020 study highlighted that over 2,130 bridges have collapsed in India over the past four decades, primarily due to natural disasters, material deterioration, and overloading. As rescue efforts continue, authorities have cordoned off the area, and the nation mourns yet another preventable disaster.
