Did Gujarat’s Gambhira Bridge collapse because it was dilapidated?

A bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has killed at least nine people and injured several others. The incident has once again put the spotlight on the condition of dilapidated bridges in the state.

The tragedy has evoked memories of the 2022 collapse of the colonial-era cable suspension bridge into the Machchu River in Gujarat’s Morbi , killing 135 and injuring 56.

Here’s what we know about the Vadodara bridge collapse.

Gujarat bridge collapse

At least nine people were killed after multiple vehicles fell into the Mahisagar River when a portion of the Gambhira Bridge caved in on Wednesday (July 9) morning.

Nine others were injured as five vehicles — two trucks, two vans, and an auto-rickshaw — plummeted into the river.

Anil Dhameliya, District Collector, Vadodara, told Indian Express earlier today, “While the rescue operation is on, as of now, we know that two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw plunged into the river when a portion of the bridge gave way suddenly.”

The Vadodara district fire and emergency team were rushed to the spot for rescue operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are searching the river for survivors.

The injured were taken to the local hospital in Vadodara district.

As per Indian Express, the deceased include Ramesh Padhiyar, Vedika Padhiyar, and Naitaik Padhiyar, a family from Dariyapura village, Hasmukh Parmar, Vakhatsinh Jadav and Pravin Jadav.

Situated in Mujpur in Padra taluka of Vadodara, the bridge connects Anand and Vadodara districts.

A loud sound, cries of help

Eyewitnesses recall hearing a loud cracking sound moments before the vehicles fell into the river.

Speaking to NDTV, fisherman Narendra Mali, who was working at the Mahisagar river at the time, said, “The vehicles fell one after the other. As soon as we saw this, we turned our boats towards the vehicles and started efforts to rescue the people.”

“Most passengers in the vehicles could not be saved,” he added.

A video from the site showed a tanker dangling precariously from the middle of the broken bridge. A woman trapped in the river was also heard crying for help for her son, apparently stuck in the overturned Eeco van in the water.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the bridge collapse in Gujarat “deeply saddening”. “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said on X.

Calling the incident “deeply distressing”, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that the state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the “heirs of each person who lost their life in the accident. Additionally, each person injured in the accident will receive assistance of Rs 50,000, and all treatment arrangements will also be provided by the state government.”

‘Dilapidated’ bridge’s collapse stirs uproar

The Gambhira Bridge, which collapsed on Wednesday, was reportedly constructed in 1985.

Locals have alleged that the bridge, linking Central Gujarat to Saurashtra, was neglected by the administration.

“The Gambhira bridge has become notorious not just as a traffic hazard but also as a suicide point. Repeated warnings about its condition were ignored,” a resident was quoted as saying by IANS.

A purported phone recording dating to August 2022 between Vadodara-based social activist Lakhan Darbar and a Roads & Buildings (R&B) department officer has gone viral, further exacerbating the public anger. In the clip, the officer is claimed to have admitted that the bridge was structurally unsound and “would not last long”, as per The New Indian Express (TNIE).

Vadodara’s district collector said that the bridge was repaired last year. “The executive engineers of the Road and Bridges Department are on their way to the spot. We will examine the details of the bridge once the rescue work is completed,” he told Indian Express.

Executive Engineer NM Nayakawala, who was present at the site, has claimed the bridge had not shown visible signs of damage.

“The Gambhira Bridge was built in 1985 and has a lifespan of 100 years. It was not in a dilapidated condition. Maintenance work was carried out last year, and potholes were filled this year as well. Our inspection report did not indicate any major structural damage. The bridge was not considered unsafe. The exact cause of the collapse will be known only after the detailed report is submitted,” Nayakawala said, as per TNIE. 

However, as per locals, the bridge shook dangerously when vehicles passed through it.

After a recommendation by BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the Gujarat government green-lit the construction of a new bridge. A survey was conducted and the plans for the new bridge were in the pipeline, reported NDTV.

The opposition has slammed the Gujarat government over the bridge collapse.

The Congress said the tragedy reflected the “corruption and decay behind the Gujarat Model”. “In this accident, several vehicles fell into the river, resulting in tragic deaths and injuries. The Congress family expresses deep condolences and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Congress said in a post on social media. The party also alleged “rampant corruption” in infrastructure projects in the state.

Senior Congress MLA Amit Chavda claimed the opposition had repeatedly brought up the condition of the bridge with the state government. “No steps were taken. The responsibility for today’s incident and the deaths lies with the state government. Gujarat has several old, damaged bridges, but the state government is not taking any concrete steps,” he alleged.

With inputs from agencies