Devastating Gambhira Bridge Collapse Claims Lives in Vadodara

Vadodara, Gujarat – July 9, 2025 – A catastrophic infrastructure failure has plunged Gujarat into grief today as a section of the decades-old Gambhira Bridge, a vital artery connecting Anand and Vadodara districts over the Mahisagar River, tragically collapsed. The devastating Gambhira bridge collapse occurred on Wednesday morning, sending multiple vehicles plummeting into the swollen river below, claiming at least nine lives and leaving several injured. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities and local communities grapple with the aftermath of this shocking incident.

The Morning of the Gambhira Bridge Collapse: A Scene of Chaos

The horrific Gambhira bridge collapse struck around 7:30 AM, catching commuters completely by surprise. Eyewitnesses described a sudden giving way of a concrete slab between two piers, leading to a terrifying plunge for vehicles traversing the bridge at that moment. Initial reports and rescue efforts indicate that two trucks, an Eco van, a pickup van, an auto-rickshaw, and another vehicle were among those that fell into the Mahisagar River. The incident immediately prompted a massive response from local villagers, who were the first responders, rushing to the scene to provide assistance. Their swift actions, alongside arriving police, fire brigade, and disaster response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were critical in the immediate rescue efforts.

Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed the recovery of nine bodies, while several others have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Among the deceased are a family of three from Dariyapura village – Vaidika Rameshbhai Padhiyaar, Naitik Rameshbhai Padhiyaar, and Rameshbhai Dalpatbhai Padhiyaar. The injured include Sonalben Rameshbhai Padhiyaar, Narendrasinh Ratansinh Parmar, Ganpatsinh Khansinh Rajula, Dilipbhai Ramsinh Padhiyaar, Rajubhai Dudabhai, and Rajeshbhai Ishwarbhai Chawda, as well as others yet to be identified. The gravity of the Gambhira bridge collapse has left the entire region in profound shock and mourning.

Legacy and Warnings: The Gambhira Bridge’s Troubled History

Constructed in 1985, the 900-meter-long Gambhira Bridge, supported by 23 piers, has served as a crucial link between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region for over four decades. While Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel stated that maintenance work on the bridge was carried out periodically, disturbing allegations of neglect and ignored warnings have surfaced in the wake of the Gambhira bridge collapse.

Local residents and even some social media-based reporters had reportedly flagged the deteriorating condition of the bridge on multiple occasions, citing potholes and visible cracks. An audio clip from three years prior has reportedly surfaced, where an officer admitted that a proposal for repairs had been sent and that the department was concerned the bridge might not last. Despite these alarming indicators, no major structural reinforcement or significant preventive measures appear to have been undertaken. Executive Engineer N.M. Nayakawala, however, claimed the bridge was not in a dilapidated condition and had a lifespan of 100 years, with maintenance carried out as recently as this year. These conflicting reports have only intensified public anger and demands for accountability following the tragic Gambhira bridge collapse.

High-Level Response and Calls for Accountability After the Gambhira Bridge Collapse

The devastating Gambhira bridge collapse has garnered immediate attention from the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a foreign visit, expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. The Prime Minister also spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and review ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed the state’s Roads and Buildings Department to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the causes of the Gambhira bridge collapse. Teams of state road and building department officials, along with private engineers specializing in bridge construction, have been dispatched to the site to conduct a preliminary investigation and submit a comprehensive report.

However, political reactions have been sharp. The Gujarat Congress has vehemently criticized the state government, holding it responsible for the disaster and alleging negligence. Party leaders claimed that repeated warnings about the bridge’s poor condition were ignored, making the Gambhira bridge collapse a “disaster waiting to happen.” Activists have demanded criminal accountability, calling for FIRs against responsible officers.

Broader Implications and Infrastructure Safety Concerns

The Gambhira bridge tragedy sadly serves as a grim reminder of recurring infrastructure safety concerns in India. This incident comes less than two years after the tragic Morbi suspension bridge collapse in October 2022, which claimed 135 lives, also in Gujarat. Furthermore, this is reportedly the second bridge collapse in Gujarat in 2025 alone, with another incident reported in Pune in June.

These repeated incidents highlight the urgent need for stringent structural audits, timely maintenance, and accountability in infrastructure projects across the country. The focus now turns to not only understanding the exact cause of the Gambhira bridge collapse but also ensuring that such preventable tragedies are averted in the future through robust policies and their strict implementation. The ongoing rescue efforts continue, but the questions surrounding the bridge’s structural integrity and the alleged official inaction will undoubtedly lead to a deeper examination of India’s infrastructure safety protocols.

Moving Forward

As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on ensuring no one is left trapped and providing the best possible care for the injured. The long-term implications of the Gambhira bridge collapse for regional connectivity and public trust in infrastructure are significant. The people of Vadodara and Anand, alongside the entire nation, await a transparent and thorough investigation that brings to light the full truth behind this devastating event and ensures that such a tragedy is never repeated.