11 Dead as Gujarat’s Gambhira Bridge Collapses

GG News Bureau
Vadodara/Anand, 9th July: At least 11 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a portion of the 40-year-old Gambhira bridge connecting Gujarat’s Vadodara and Anand districts collapsed on Tuesday morning, plunging multiple vehicles into the Mahisagar river below.

Local fisherman Narendra Mali, who witnessed the collapse, described the horror. “Vehicles fell one after another into the river. We immediately turned our boats to help with rescue,” he said. Among the vehicles that fell were two trucks, a car, a pick-up van, and several motorcycles.

Rescue and relief operations by police and disaster response teams are ongoing. The bodies of six victims have been identified as Vaidik Padiyar (45), Naitik Padiyar (45), Hasmukh Parmar (32), Ramesh Padiyar (32), Wakhasingh Jadhav (26), and Praveen Jadhav (26).

The Gambhira bridge, built in 1985, was reportedly in a deteriorated condition. Local residents said it often trembled under vehicle pressure. Despite these warnings, the bridge remained operational. Although the government had approved the construction of a new bridge following a recommendation from BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the old structure continued to be used after minimal repairs.

Government Responds, Condolences Pour In

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the tragedy “deeply saddening” and announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia from the PMNRF for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also extended condolences, promising ₹4 lakh compensation per deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured individual. “The state stands with every affected family,” he said.

Vadodara Collector Anil Dhamelia said the focus remains on rescuing survivors and recovering vehicles. “Traffic has been diverted, and relief work is underway.”

Opposition Slams State Government

The Congress party blamed the tragedy on “administrative apathy” and alleged rampant corruption in Gujarat’s infrastructure projects. “This exposes the decay behind the so-called Gujarat Model,” the party said.

Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings about the bridge’s condition. “This is not an accident, it is negligence,” he said, demanding accountability.