9 Dead as 40-Year-Old Gambhira Bridge Collapses in Gujarat, Vehicles Fall into Mahisagar River
(Photo | AP)
Fishermen Turn First Responders After Horrific Bridge Collapse in Chilling Morning Scene
A tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday morning when a 40-year-old bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara-Anand district collapsed, sending multiple vehicles hurtling into the Mahisagar River. The span, part of the Gambhira bridge, gave way suddenly, shocking bystanders and turning a routine commute into a scene of devastation.
Fisherman Narendra Mali, who was working nearby, recounted the moment of horror. “We saw trucks, a car, a pick-up van, and some bikes fall one after the other. We immediately turned our boats to rescue people,” he told local media.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
The Gujarat government has confirmed nine deaths so far, with many more injured. The deceased have been identified as:
- Vaidik Padiyar (45)
- Naitik Padiyar (45)
- Hasmukh Parmar (32)
- Ramesh Padiyar (32)
- Wakhasingh Jadhav (26)
- Praveen Jadhav (26)
Rescue operations are being carried out by local police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other emergency teams. According to Vadodara Collector Anil Dhamelia, “Our immediate priority is rescue and recovery. We’ve diverted traffic and are retrieving the vehicles from the river.”
“Deeply Saddening”: PM Modi Reacts, Announces Ex-Gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the incident. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the PMO stated:
“The loss of lives due to the bridge collapse in Gujarat is deeply saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. ₹2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured.”
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Offers State Compensation
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also responded swiftly to the tragedy:
“This incident is deeply distressing. The Gujarat government will offer ₹4 lakh compensation to each family who lost someone and ₹50,000 to the injured. All medical treatments will be arranged by the government.”
Warnings Ignored: Bridge Declared Unsafe but Kept Open
The Gambhira bridge, operational since 1985, had long been flagged as structurally unsound. Despite warnings from local residents and elected officials, including BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the bridge remained in use.
A new bridge was approved and a survey conducted, but in the meantime, the old bridge was merely repaired and reopened for regular traffic.
Eyewitnesses claim the bridge would often shake visibly when trucks passed. Local voices are now asking why the administration did not shut it down earlier.
Opposition Blames "Gujarat Model" for Neglect
The Opposition Congress party launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, calling the tragedy a “result of administrative apathy and corruption.”
In a statement, the Congress said:
“This horrifying bridge collapse is symbolic of the decay behind the so-called Gujarat Model. Lives could’ve been saved had the government acted in time.”
Congress MLA Amit Chavda accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings:
“We raised the issue of the Gambhira bridge several times in the Assembly. The government failed to act. There are many such dilapidated bridges across Gujarat.”
Public Outrage Over “Preventable Tragedy”
The tragedy has sparked outrage across Gujarat. Social media has been flooded with posts under hashtags like #GujaratBridgeCollapse and #GambhiraTragedy, with citizens demanding accountability and regular audits of old infrastructure.
Many are asking:
- Why was a 40-year-old bridge still in operation?
- Why weren’t interim safety measures like traffic restrictions or weight limits imposed?
- Will the government initiate third-party audits of other bridges?
Reader Takeaway
As Gujarat reels from the Gambhira bridge collapse, the incident serves as a grim reminder of India’s aging infrastructure and the cost of institutional neglect. With both central and state governments announcing compensation, the larger question remains: Will accountability follow?
This is not an isolated event—it echoes across the country where bridges and flyovers built decades ago continue to be used without proper audits or timely maintenance.
With at least nine dead and several injured, it is time for policymakers to rethink infrastructure safety—not after tragedies, but to prevent them.
🛑 If you're in Gujarat and spot any unsafe public infrastructure, report it immediately to your municipal body or call 108.