NATIONAL: Vadodara’s Gambhira Bridge: A Tragedy Foretold
The catastrophic collapse of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara, Gujarat, has claimed 16 lives, spotlighting a preventable disaster. Despite repeated warnings about its structural deficiencies, the bridge remained operational, leading to public outrage and demands for accountability.
A History of Neglect
Constructed in 1986, the Gambhira Bridge, spanning the Mahisagar River, was a critical link between the Vadodara and Anand districts. Local leaders and residents flagged its deteriorating condition as early as 2021, citing visible tremors and structural instability.
Unheeded Warnings
Harshadsinh Parmar, a Vadodara district panchayat member, issued multiple alerts to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. In August 2022, he demanded the bridge’s immediate closure and reconstruction, warning of potential loss of life.
Post-Morbi Urgency Ignored
Following the 2022 Morbi bridge collapse, which killed 135, Parmar reiterated his concerns, urging public disclosure of the bridge’s engineering reports. His pleas were met with assurances of “consideration” but no tangible action.
RTI Revelations
RTI activist Lakhan Darbar revealed that an R&B Department report in 2022 deemed the bridge unfit for use. Despite demands for transparency, the report remained confidential, allowing the bridge to operate for three more years.
Official Denials
R&B Executive Engineer N.M. Nayakawala claimed no major faults were identified in prior inspections, citing only minor bearing issues repaired in 2024. This stance has fueled accusations of bureaucratic negligence.
Government Response
State government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel confirmed that the collapse was discussed in a cabinet meeting. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has demanded an explanation from R&B officials, with an investigation underway.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
The collapse on July 9, 2025, saw multiple vehicles plunge into the Mahisagar River. Rescue operations, involving NDRF and local teams, recovered 13 bodies, with six individuals still missing.
Compensation Announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Gujarat’s state government pledged ₹4 lakh per deceased person and ₹50,000 per injured person.
Public and Political Backlash
Opposition parties, including Congress, have condemned the incident as a symptom of systemic neglect, referencing earlier demands to restrict heavy vehicles. The tragedy has reignited debates on Gujarat’s infrastructure oversight.
A Call for Accountability
The Gambhira Bridge collapse underscores a pattern of ignored warnings and inadequate maintenance. As investigations proceed, questions linger about responsibility and the safety of aging infrastructure across Gujarat.