Gujarat Bridge Collapse: On July 9, 2025, early Wednesday morning, a section of the Gambhira Bridge—built in 1985 and linking Vadodara (Padra) and Anand via the Mahisagar River—collapsed during peak traffic hours. The disaster resulted in a devastating loss of lives, left multiple vehicles submerged, and triggered urgent rescue operations. This incident raises grave concerns about infrastructure safety in Gujarat and across India.
The Incident in Detail:
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Time & Location: Around 7:30 am on July 9, a 10–15-meter-wide slab of the Gambhira Bridge suddenly caved in near Padra-Mujpur in Vadodara district.
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Vehicles Affected: Reports confirm that four to six vehicles —including trucks, vans, an autorickshaw, and an SUV—plunged into the Mahisagar River.
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Casualties & Injuries: Initial reports varied between 9 and 11 fatalities, with 9–10 individuals rescued and treated at SSG Hospital in Vadodara. Many were reported in stable condition, while some suffered serious injuries.
Some updates even suggest the death toll may rise further as recovery operations proceed.
Illustrative Moments & Human Cost:
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Harrowing visuals emerged, including a tanker hanging off the fractured edge and local residents rushing to help.
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One distressing clip captured a woman shouting, “Maaro chokra doobi gayo” (“My child is drowning”)—a poignant testament to the frantic scenes during the rescue.
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At least two siblings are among the deceased. A family’s entire vehicle plunged into the river—only one member escaped by smashing the window; others tragically perished.
Infrastructure & Safety Concerns:
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Age & Condition: The bridge was constructed nearly 40 years ago (1985) and reportedly “shook dangerously when vehicles crossed,” indicating structural instability.
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Resident Warnings: Locals and opposition parties warned that this was a disaster waiting to happen, with the bridge flagged for repairs by both villagers and civic engineers.
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Reforms Underway: The state government had previously initiated plans to construct a new bridge, but work was incomplete, and the existing span remained open to traffic.
Response from Authorities:
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Immediate Rescues: Firefighters, the NDRF, SDRF, and local administrative teams were swiftly deployed, with local residents offering crucial assistance.
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Government Compensation:
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply saddening,” expressing condolences and announcing ₹2 lakh ex gratia for each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund.
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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel assured full medical support and compensation of ₹4 lakh per deceased family and ₹50,000 per injured individual.
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Technical Inquiry Ordered: The CM has tasked a team that includes Chief Engineers and private experts to investigate the structural failure urgently.
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Political Fallout & Opposition Reaction:
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The Congress and AAP accused the state BJP government of negligence, asking who will be held responsible.
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Congress claimed this collapse was predicted, calling it a result of administrative apathy.
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The TMC and BRS criticized the Centre, questioning whether this was an “act of God or fraud,” citing recent infrastructure failures in BJP-led states.
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BRS’s Harish Rao highlighted a systemic failure, comparing this to other incidents in BJP-ruled regions.
Wider Impacts & Regional Disruption:
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Transportation Disruption: With the Gambhira Bridge now out of service, commuters traveling between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra must take a 50 km detour via alternate routes like Vasad, increasing travel time and congestion.
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Public Trust Under Strain: The collapse, following the 2022 Morbi pedestrian bridge tragedy (over 140 deaths), has intensified public anxiety over the safety of India’s aging infrastructure.
What’s Next?
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Ongoing Rescue: Teams are continuing recovery efforts; weather permitting, risks of further casualties are under evaluation.
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Technical Forensic Probe: The investigation will examine structural integrity, maintenance records, design safety, and prior warnings.
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Policies and Accountability: There are growing demands for a systemic overhaul of bridge inspection protocols and stricter maintenance frameworks nationwide.
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Infrastructure Overhaul: For long-term sustainability, Gujarat has greenlit the construction of a new bridge, but reconstruction timelines are yet to be finalized.
Conclusion:
The horrific collapse of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara district has tragically claimed lives and exposed critical lapses in infrastructure oversight. Key demands now revolve around thorough investigations, accountability from state agencies, and fast-tracked rebuilding to restore regional connectivity. As Gujarat prepares compensation and probes technical faults, the onus is on authorities to guarantee safety standards and rebuild public trust.
ऐसे और भी लेखों के लिए हमारे साथ जुड़े रहें! Khabari bandhu पर पढ़ें देश-दुनिया की ताज़ा ख़बरें — बिज़नेस, एजुकेशन, मनोरंजन, धर्म, क्रिकेट, राशिफल और भी बहुत कुछ।