Special Correspondent
Vadodara : A catastrophic incident unfolded in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025, when a section of the 45-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River collapsed around 7:30 AM, claiming nine lives and injuring eight others. The bridge, a critical link connecting Vadodara and Anand districts and facilitating travel between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, gave way without warning, sending five to six vehicles, including two trucks, a Bolero SUV, a pickup van, an auto-rickshaw, and possibly a motorcycle, plunging into the swollen river below. A tanker was left precariously dangling from the broken edge of the bridge, as captured in distressing visuals from the site.
The collapse occurred near Mujpur village in Padra taluka, along a busy state highway.
According to Padra Police Inspector Vijay Charan, the incident took place during peak morning hours when vehicular traffic was significant. The vehicles fell into the fast-flowing Mahisagar River, complicating rescue efforts. Local residents from Mujpur and surrounding areas were among the first to respond, rushing to the scene and diving into the river to assist survivors trapped in submerged vehicles. Their swift actions, combined with the efforts of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Vadodara Fire Department, and local police, led to the rescue of eight individuals, four of whom sustained minor injuries. The injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, with six admitted to Padra Hospital and two to Sayaji Hospital in Vadodara.
The Gambhira Bridge, a 900-meter-long structure with 23 piers, was inaugurated in 1985 and had been in a dilapidated condition for years, with locals repeatedly warning authorities about visible cracks, rusted joints, and potholes exacerbated by monsoon rains. Residents expressed outrage, blaming administrative negligence for the tragedy, claiming their pleas for repairs were ignored. “We had raised complaints multiple times, but no one took action,” a local resident told India TV, highlighting the bridge’s unsuitability for heavy traffic. The collapse has severed a vital transport link, forcing commuters from South Gujarat cities like Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Tapi, and Valsad to take a longer route via Ahmedabad to reach Saurashtra, significantly disrupting regional connectivity and commerce.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a probe by technical experts to investigate the cause of the collapse, with preliminary reports suggesting structural failure due to prolonged neglect. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, who visited the site, confirmed that maintenance had been conducted periodically but emphasized that the exact reason for the collapse would be determined through a thorough investigation. The NDRF’s Vadodara 6BN unit deployed deep-water divers and rescue equipment, including inflatable rubber boats (IRB) and outboard motors (OBM), to scour the riverbed for missing persons and retrieve wreckage.
Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya noted that the river’s depth at the site was relatively shallow, aiding rescue efforts, though the identities of the victims are yet to be confirmed as operations remain focused on saving lives.
Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes, with villagers and emergency teams working tirelessly to pull survivors from the river. A woman trapped in the water was heard crying for help for her son, believed to be stuck in an overturned Eeco van, as shown in heartbreaking videos circulating on social media.
The 108 emergency ambulance service and Vadodara Municipal Corporation teams also played a crucial role in the response. As news spread, a large crowd gathered at the site, and a moment of silence was observed to mourn the lives lost.
The tragedy has sparked widespread public anger and renewed calls for comprehensive infrastructure audits across Gujarat to prevent such preventable disasters. The Congress party criticized the BJP-led state government, alleging that the incident exposed corruption within the “Gujarat Model” of development. Anklav Congress MLA Amit Chavda posted on X, urging immediate rescue efforts and traffic diversions. The collapse, occurring just before the morning rush of school buses and heavy traffic, narrowly averted an even greater catastrophe.
This incident follows another bridge collapse in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, a day earlier, underscoring growing concerns about aging infrastructure nationwide. Authorities continue to investigate, with divers and cranes deployed to recover vehicles and ensure no further victims remain trapped. The Gambhira Bridge collapse serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for infrastructure modernization to safeguard lives and prevent future tragedies.
