A tragic infrastructure failure claimed at least nine lives in Gujarat today as the Gambhira Bridge, connecting Vadodara and Anand, collapsed, sending several vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River below.
The catastrophic incident occurred early Wednesday morning, catching commuters and local authorities off-guard.
According to Gujarat government spokesperson Rishikesh Patel, preliminary reports indicate that at least five vehicles fell into the river. Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local emergency teams are underway.
The bridge, originally commissioned in 1985 and flagged for structural concerns in 2017 by the opposition Congress party, was slated for replacement. A new bridge valued at ₹212 crore had already been approved by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel just three months prior, with the design and tendering process underway.
In response to the collapse, CM Patel dispatched the Chief Engineer and a bridge design expert team to the site and ordered a comprehensive technical assessment. Authorities are now investigating whether lapses in maintenance or delays in the new project may have contributed to the deadly failure.
The incident has reignited political debate over infrastructure neglect and the accountability of authorities tasked with public safety. Citizens are calling for immediate audits of similar ageing structures across the state.
As rescue operations continue, officials are yet to confirm the total number of people injured or missing.
