Vadodara: At least twelve people were killed and several others injured after a decades-old bridge collapsed over the Mahisagar River in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Tuesday morning, plunging multiple vehicles into the river and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:30 am on the Gambhira Bridge, which connects Mujpur village in Padra taluka of Vadodara with Gambhira village in Anand district. Officials said the structure, constructed in the mid-1980s, gave way suddenly, with no immediate warning signs, even as several vehicles were crossing.
According to preliminary reports, at least seven vehicles, including a mini-truck, an auto-rickshaw, and motorcycles, were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Among the deceased were women and children. Local eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene, with vehicles plummeting into the river and victims crying for help as they struggled to stay afloat.
Survivors recount horror:
One of the survivors, Sonalben Padhiyar, said she was traveling with her husband and son when the bridge gave way. While she managed to hold on to a submerged vehicle, her husband and child were swept away in the strong current. "I screamed for help for over an hour until I was pulled out," she told local reporters, breaking down in tears.
Rescue and recovery operations:
Rescue efforts were led by the Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police, who worked through the morning to retrieve bodies and assist the injured. Officials confirmed that 12 bodies had been recovered by late afternoon and at least nine others were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Vadodara.
Vadodara district collector Atul Gor stated that the focus remained on search and rescue. “We are coordinating with the Anand district administration as the bridge falls between the two districts,” he said. “All necessary emergency services were deployed within minutes of the collapse.”
Aging infrastructure under scrutiny:
Initial findings suggest that the bridge, which was over 40 years old, may have collapsed due to structural fatigue and lack of regular maintenance. Villagers had reportedly raised concerns in the past about the weakening pillars and cracks developing on the surface.
The Gujarat Road and Buildings Department has ordered a technical inquiry into the cause of the collapse. Experts are examining whether load limits were exceeded and if there were lapses in routine inspections.
Government response and compensation:
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The Chief Minister also directed the district administration to conduct a structural audit of all similar bridges in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his grief over the loss of lives and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
President Droupadi Murmu joined in expressing her condolences, calling the incident “deeply distressing” and offering prayers for the victims and their families.
Traffic disruptions and detour arrangements
With the bridge rendered unusable, the authorities have diverted traffic through alternate routes, including via Vasad, adding a detour of approximately 50 kilometers for commuters. The sudden disruption has led to traffic snarls and long queues at toll plazas on the Vasad–Vadodara stretch.
Political reactions and calls for accountability
The opposition has demanded accountability and transparency in the probe. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi alleged that repeated warnings from locals were ignored and questioned the state’s infrastructure audit processes.
“There must be a criminal inquiry into who was responsible for maintaining this bridge and why it was allowed to remain operational despite visible signs of decay,” Doshi said.