VADODARA: The death toll in the Gambhira Bridge collapse tragedy in Gujarat’s Vadodara district climbed to 15 on Thursday, with three more persons still missing, even as day two of intense rescue operations continued amidst rain and thick mud.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday morning, when a portion of the 40-year-old bridge built over the Mahisagar River, connecting Vadodara and Anand districts, gave way. Multiple vehicles, including trucks and cars, plunged into the river, prompting an immediate emergency response.
District Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed that three people are still unaccounted for and that two more vehicles—believed to be a truck and a car—may still be submerged. Rescue operations are being hampered by 3-metre-deep mud and ongoing rainfall. Authorities are now constructing a makeshift bridge to support rescue efforts.
In response to growing public outrage and political criticism, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a comprehensive probe into the collapse. He stated that a team comprising Chief Engineer–Design, Chief Engineer–South Gujarat, and two private bridge construction experts has been deployed to the site to submit a preliminary technical report.
“I have directed the roads and buildings department to investigate the accident immediately and submit a detailed report,” the CM posted on X.
A team from the roads and buildings department also reached the site on Thursday to begin a technical assessment of the collapse.
Local residents had long expressed concerns about the safety of the Gambhira Bridge, built in 1985, claiming it would visibly shake under the weight of heavy vehicles. Although a new bridge had been approved following a recommendation by local BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the old structure continued to be used even after basic repairs, raising questions about administrative neglect.
Reacting to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel separately announced ₹4 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and ₹50,000 for those injured, along with a commitment to cover all medical treatment expenses.
The Opposition Congress Party has slammed the BJP-led state government, alleging rampant corruption in Gujarat’s infrastructure projects and calling the incident a grim reflection of the “Gujarat Model”.
“This tragic collapse shows the extent of decay and negligence in infrastructure planning. The Congress family offers condolences and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the party said in a statement on social media.
Rescue teams from state disaster response units continue to work under challenging conditions to locate the missing and retrieve submerged vehicles. Officials have urged the public to share any information about missing persons with the control room to aid operations.
The Gambhira Bridge collapse stands as a somber reminder of the dire need for rigorous infrastructure audits, timely interventions, and public safety accountability.
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