Vadodara (Gujarat), July 9: At least nine people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a portion of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge in Padra taluka of Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed.
The tragic incident, which occurred during peak traffic hours, has sparked outrage among local residents, who have blamed years of administrative neglect for the disaster.
According to sources, the fatal collapse sent multiple vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River.
The collapsed bridge served as a vital link between the Anand and Vadodara districts. Preliminary findings suggest that four vehicles — including a Bolero SUV, two trucks, and a pickup van — were on the bridge when it suddenly gave way without warning. Eyewitnesses recalled a loud cracking sound just before the structure crumbled, leading to a chaotic scene as vehicles plunged into the river below.
Emergency teams, including firefighters, police, and district officials, quickly responded and launched large-scale rescue operations. Locals also joined hands in the effort, helping to extract victims from the wreckage. At least three people were rescued from the river and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” The PM also announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Survivors spoke of the terrifying seconds when the bridge gave way beneath them. Raju, a passenger who survived the fall, told IANS, “There was a pickup, a rickshaw, and a two-wheeler on the bridge. I was there with my uncle. I fell into the river and somehow managed to survive, but I don’t know what happened to him. I was traveling from Dwarka to Tadkeshwar in a bus.”
Another survivor, Narendra Singh, said, “I had just finished my shift and was returning home on my bike. The bridge collapsed right under me the moment I reached it.”
Residents said the collapse was a tragedy waiting to happen. “The bridge was already in a dangerously deteriorated condition. People have been raising alarms for years. It wasn’t just unsafe — it had become a hotspot for suicides,” a local resident shared.
As the rescue teams continued to search for the missing and remove debris, the tragedy has raised urgent questions about infrastructure safety and the state of public accountability in Gujarat.
Local MLA from Padra, Chaitanyasinh Zala, visited the site shortly after the collapse and assured that an investigation into the incident would be conducted. Authorities cordoned off the area, and rescue efforts continued well into the night, with cranes being used to retrieve submerged vehicles.
Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda criticized the government over the incident, posting on social media: “The main Gambhira bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara has collapsed. Multiple vehicles have fallen into the river. Rescue efforts must be swift, and immediate arrangements are needed to manage diverted traffic.” (Edited)
