The collapse of the Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has turned into a deeply tragic incident, claiming at least nine lives and injuring several others, while rescue operations are still ongoing. The bridge, which was built over four decades ago and opened to the public in 1985, saw one of its 23 spans collapse on July 9, 2025, leading to a multi-vehicle plunge into the river.
Key Details:
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Casualties:
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9 confirmed dead
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9 rescued so far
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Search and rescue operations continue, with fears the toll may rise.
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Vehicles involved:
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5 vehicles fell off: 2 trucks, 2 vans, and 1 autorickshaw.
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A fuel tanker was left precariously hanging on the broken section; its driver escaped but has since gone missing.
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Rescue operation:
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Ongoing for over 8 hours, involving cranes and JCB machines, though at least one submerged truck is yet to be retrieved.
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NDRF teams and local authorities are involved in the operation.
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Official Responses:
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PM Narendra Modi expressed grief and offered:
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₹ 2 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased.
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₹ 50,000 to each injured person.
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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced:
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₹ 4 lakh compensation per deceased victim's family.
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₹ 50,000 for each injured individual.
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Ordered immediate medical attention and prioritised on-site support.
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Structural Background:
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The Gambhira Bridge is nearly 900 metres long, with 23 spans.
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The bridge had been in use since 1985.
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In 2017, the Congress party had raised concerns, demanding it be closed to heavy vehicles due to its deteriorating condition.
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Just three months ago, the Gujarat government had approved a ₹212 crore proposal for a new bridge, with design and tendering work already underway.
Investigation Ordered:
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Chief Minister Patel has:
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Dispatched a team of engineers, including experts in bridge design, to the site.
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Ordered a preliminary inquiry into the technical reasons behind the collapse.
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Directed the Road Construction Department to submit a detailed report at the earliest.
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Visuals from the Site:
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Video footage shows a large gap between piers, with one span completely missing.
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A truck left dangling mid-air on the fractured segment underlines the scale of the collapse and the potential danger posed to vehicles that were on the bridge at the time.
This incident underscores the urgent need for India to accelerate infrastructure audits, particularly of aging bridges that continue to carry high traffic volumes, especially heavy vehicles. While modernization plans are often in progress, delays between approval and construction can have devastating consequences, as seen in Vadodara.
