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Decades-old Gambhira bridge gives way, plunging vehicles into Mahisagar river; probe ordered, rescue ops underway

Agencies/Thenewsdose.com

Vadodara, July 9, 2025,  UPDATED: 7:10 PM 
At least ten people, including two siblings, were killed and nine others rescued after a portion of the Gambhira bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Wednesday morning. The tragic incident occurred when a large slab of the bridge gave way, causing multiple vehicles to plunge into the Mahisagar River. The bridge, which connects central Gujarat to the Saurashtra region, is reportedly over 40 years old.

Visuals from the site showed a significant chunk of the bridge deck—between two piers—completely missing, with vehicles seen submerged or scattered in the river below. The impact was such that several cars were dragged down instantly as the slab caved in under their weight.

“Ten people have lost their lives, including two siblings. Nine others were rescued. Five of the injured are being treated at the state-run SSG Hospital in Vadodara. Thankfully, none of them are in a critical condition,” said Rohan Anand, Superintendent of Police (Vadodara Rural), who is overseeing the rescue and investigation efforts.

The Bridge Was a Vital Artery Between Central and Western Gujarat

The Gambhira bridge, built in the early 1980s, serves as a key link for commuters and goods traffic between Vadodara and the districts of Saurashtra. Locals report that the bridge had not seen major repairs in recent years despite visible signs of wear and tear. Questions are now being raised about the structural integrity of similar-aged bridges across the state, many of which have long outlived their original design life.

While officials have not yet released a technical assessment of the collapse, early speculation suggests that possible structural fatigue and inadequate maintenance may have contributed to the event. The bridge had reportedly withstood years of increased traffic load, weathering, and lack of timely intervention.

State Government Orders Inquiry; Compensation Announced

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed officials to provide immediate assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured.

“The tragic collapse of the Gambhira bridge deeply saddens me. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the collapse, and we will ensure strict accountability. Relief and rescue efforts are being carried out on a war footing,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

The state government is expected to announce an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Not the First Time: Grim Parallels With Past Incidents

This incident follows a worrying trend of bridge collapses in India over the past few years, exposing serious gaps in infrastructure audit and maintenance. In October 2022, 135 people lost their lives in the Morbi bridge collapse—also in Gujarat—when a suspension bridge snapped during evening rush hours. The bridge had recently been reopened to the public after repairs, but was found to have significant structural flaws.

Similarly, in Bihar and West Bengal, multiple small and medium-sized bridges have collapsed in recent years due to erosion, faulty design, or a lack of regular inspections.

India has over 1.5 lakh bridges across its road network, many of which were built during the mid-to-late 20th century. According to a 2020 report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, nearly 5% of India’s bridges are structurally deficient, and over 20% are more than 50 years old. Experts have long warned that a national-level bridge health monitoring system, including periodic inspections using sensor-based technologies, is urgently needed.

A Wake-Up Call for Preventive Infrastructure Governance

Infrastructure experts believe that the Gambhira bridge collapse should serve as a wake-up call. “Bridges do not collapse overnight. This was not just an accident—it reflects systemic neglect. India must shift from reactive to preventive maintenance models,” said a senior civil engineer at IIT Gandhinagar, who requested anonymity.

The Centre had launched the Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) in 2016 to classify and monitor bridges, but implementation remains uneven across states.

As rescue teams continue their operations at the site, attention now turns to what more could have been done to avert this tragedy—and whether real action will follow the inquiries this time.