Gandhinagar: A tragic incident occurred in Gujarat when the Gambhira Bridge in Mujpur, Vadodara district, collapsed on July 9. This disaster resulted in several vehicles falling into the river, leading to the loss of 18 lives. Following the incident, Health Minister Rishikesh Patel visited the site to assess the situation. He stated that a high-level inquiry has been ordered by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
The preliminary report from the investigation committee revealed that the bridge collapsed due to issues related to the pedestrian and articulation crush. The Roads and Buildings Department has formed a committee consisting of six members to investigate the causes of the collapse, negligence, and structural integrity. They are expected to submit a detailed report within 30 days.
Minister Patel, while speaking to the media, confirmed that the committee will provide a comprehensive report that includes technical and administrative reasons for the collapse. This report will be submitted to the Chief Minister, who will then take further action based on the findings.
In light of the initial findings, four officials from the Roads and Buildings Department have been suspended from duty due to negligence. Patel emphasized that any carelessness observed will be dealt with accordingly.
Currently, search and rescue operations are in the final stages. Rescuers have successfully removed trapped vehicles from the river. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families. The state government has acted swiftly and sensitively in response to this tragedy.
The Gambhira Bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand, was built in 1985 and had undergone repairs costing ₹1.18 crore last year. Despite regular maintenance, the bridge had been in a dilapidated state for the past ten years. It was a vital route for traffic between central Gujarat and Saurashtra.
The state government has pledged to provide ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and announced assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased. The government is committed to providing all necessary medical care for the injured.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of infrastructure in the region. Authorities are urged to ensure regular inspections and timely repairs to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring accountability for the incident. The state government is determined to learn from this disaster to improve public safety and infrastructure management in Gujarat.
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