Vadodara, Gujarat – A catastrophic collapse of the Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Vadodara district claimed at least three lives and left several injured on Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 AM, saw a portion of the 900-metre-long bridge, connecting Vadodara and Anand districts, give way, plunging five to six vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, into the river below. The collapse has disrupted connectivity between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region, raising serious concerns about infrastructure safety in the state.
The Gambhira Bridge, constructed in 1985, has been a critical link along a state highway for nearly four decades. According to Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, a slab between two of the bridge's 23 piers collapsed, leading to the tragic accident. Visuals from the site showed a gaping void where the slab once stood, with debris scattered in the Mahisagar River below. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordering technical experts to probe the incident thoroughly.
Rescue operations were swiftly mobilized, with teams from the Vadodara fire department, local volunteers, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushing to the site. Five individuals were rescued, but the operation remained ongoing as authorities worked to locate any additional survivors. "Three persons have died, and five others have been rescued," Patel confirmed to reporters, emphasizing the urgency of the response.
The collapse has sparked outrage and grief across the state. The Congress party, in a post on X, expressed condolences to the victims' families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. However, the party also took a swipe at the BJP-led state government, alleging that the incident "exposes the rampant corruption carried out in the name of the 'Gujarat Model'." The accusation has reignited debates about infrastructure maintenance and accountability in Gujarat, with many questioning the periodic maintenance claims made by authorities.
The Gambhira Bridge collapse is the latest in a series of infrastructure failures in India, with recent incidents in Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh highlighting the vulnerabilities of aging structures, particularly during heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for Gujarat and nine other states on the same day, citing heavy rain, which may have contributed to the structural failure, though this has yet to be confirmed.
As rescue efforts continue and investigations begin, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for rigorous infrastructure oversight. For now, the people of Gujarat mourn the loss of lives and grapple with the disruption caused by the collapse of a vital lifeline connecting two key regions of the state.
*Stay updated with the latest news on this developing story at Livemint.*
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