In the quiet hours of an ordinary Wednesday morning, the people of Gujarat’s Vadodara district were jolted by an unimaginable tragedy. The 43-year-old Gambhira bridge, a vital link between Vadodara and Anand, collapsed without warning, sending vehicles and lives plummeting into the Mahisagar River. The Gujarat bridge collapse has left at least nine people dead, several others injured, and a gaping wound in the heart of a grieving state.
Families who had sent their loved ones off for a day’s work or journey never expected a call from the authorities telling them about a collapsed bridge, a missing person, or worse — a death. This isn’t just about steel and concrete. It’s about dreams drowned, families shattered, and a community left questioning whether anyone is truly safe on the roads they trust.
PM Modi, Amit Shah Express Grief as Rescue Teams Battle Time
As news of the Vadodara bridge collapse spread, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express deep sorrow. Amit Shah called the incident “very tragic,” confirming that NDRF teams had already reached the site and were carrying out rescue and relief operations. His message was filled with condolences and prayers for the families affected.
Prime Minister Modi echoed the sentiment, expressing profound grief over the Gujarat bridge collapse and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district is deeply saddening,” PM Modi posted on X, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 9, 2025
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The…
What Happened on the Gambhira Bridge?
The collapse occurred around 7:30 a.m. on the Gambhira bridge near Mujpur village in Padra taluka. The bridge, which served as a critical link between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, suddenly gave way as multiple vehicles were crossing. A 10-15 metre slab between two piers collapsed, plunging two trucks, a pickup van, an Eeco van, and an auto-rickshaw into the river.
Two other vehicles were left stranded on the broken edge, their occupants barely escaping a watery fate. Visuals from the site captured the horror — a fuel tanker precariously hanging, twisted metal submerged in water, and cries for help piercing the early morning silence.
Locals, the Vadodara Fire Department, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the scene. With the help of cranes, divers, and heavy machinery, rescue operations transitioned into recovery efforts, fighting against time and strong river currents.
43-Year-Old Bridge Raises Questions on Oversight and Accountability
The Gujarat bridge collapse has exposed serious concerns about infrastructure safety in India. The 900-metre-long Gambhira bridge, with 23 piers, was built over four decades ago. It was used daily by commuters and trucks carrying goods across Gujarat. After the tragedy, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel ordered a high-level investigation and directed technical experts to determine the cause of the collapse.
Despite being a lifeline for thousands, locals allege that the bridge had long shown signs of wear and tear. Many even claim it had become a notorious suicide point due to lack of safety barriers and that frequent vibrations could be felt whenever heavy trucks passed. “This was an accident waiting to happen,” said a resident of Mujpur village, echoing the frustration and fear felt across the community.
Political Storm Brews Over “Gujarat Model”
The incident has also stirred a political storm. The opposition Congress party blamed the BJP-led government, calling the tragedy a symbol of the “cracks” in the much-touted Gujarat Model. Through a post on social media, Congress criticized the state’s infrastructure standards and raised serious questions about corruption and lack of timely audits.
“In this accident, several vehicles fell into the river, resulting in tragic deaths and injuries. The Congress family expresses deep condolences and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the party stated, demanding answers and accountability from the government.
This Gujarat bridge collapse has now become more than a local incident. It has become a national debate on infrastructure integrity, systemic neglect, and the cost of apathy.
Survivors Recount Horror as Search Continues
Survivors of the Vadodara bridge collapse shared chilling accounts. One woman, whose child was trapped in a van, cried for help as emergency workers tried to reach the submerged vehicle. Locals said they heard a loud crack, followed by screams and the sound of metal twisting before the entire section fell into the Mahisagar River.
Emergency responders say that search and rescue could go on for days, especially if the current continues to be strong. With wreckage scattered under water and human lives still unaccounted for, the priority now remains saving lives — even as the political and public debate continues to build pressure.
A Wake-Up Call India Cannot Ignore
The Gujarat bridge collapse is not just a tragedy for Vadodara or Gujarat — it is a wake-up call for the entire nation. How many more such collapses must we witness before infrastructure inspections become non-negotiable? How many lives must be lost before responsibility is accepted and systems are reformed?
This collapse has claimed nine lives, left families broken, and entire regions cut off. But more than that, it has shattered the illusion of safety that infrastructure should provide. The Gambhira bridge collapse must now become the reason we look deeper, inspect more rigorously, and demand accountability at every level.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on official statements, media reports, and public responses related to the Gujarat bridge collapse in Vadodara. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may change as the investigation continues. Taaza Wire extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
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