In Vadodara, the Gambhira Bridge, which connects the districts of Vadodara and Anand, collapsed ten days ago. Despite the passage of time, the owner and driver of a tanker are still trying to have it removed from the site. On July 9, a serious accident occurred when three trucks and several other vehicles fell into the Mahi River after the bridge slab broke. Tragically, 20 people lost their lives in this incident, and one young man is still missing.
Ravindra Kumar, the driver of the dangling tanker, recounted his experience. He was on his way to Dahej after emptying the tanker in Ahmedabad. He mentioned that as he was driving, a tanker approached him from the opposite direction, and a car was ahead of him. Suddenly, the bridge slab broke. In a matter of seconds, the slab collapsed into the river. The oncoming tanker collided with his vehicle, causing it to fall into the river.
Recalling the traumatic event, Ravindra said he applied the handbrake to stop the tanker. He jumped out of the vehicle and lost consciousness. A few hours later, he contacted his family, who were unaware that he was involved in the incident. The police later took him to the station, and he was still confused about what happened. He is now appealing to the authorities to remove the tanker from the bridge so he can continue his livelihood.
Ramashankar Pale, the owner of a tanker in Ankleshwar, expressed frustration. He said that officials from Anand and Vadodara are blaming each other for the incident. They have been running around government offices trying to get answers. One official told them that the tanker would only be removed once a new bridge is built and the old one is demolished.
This tragic incident has raised serious questions about the safety of bridges in the region. The Gambhira Bridge, which was crucial for connecting Anand and Vadodara, fell due to apparent negligence. Many people had previously warned the authorities about the deteriorating condition of the bridge, but their concerns were ignored.
A letter from a district panchayat member, Harshad Singh Parmar, warning about the bridge’s condition was circulated online. He wrote to the district collector and the roads and buildings department in August 2022, noting that the bridge was at risk. Despite multiple warnings and complaints, the authorities did not take action. This negligence has now resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
The government has now ordered inspections of 2,110 bridges across the state following this disaster. Five bridges have been completely shut down, while four others have been restricted for heavy vehicles. Despite this action, many are left wondering what will happen to the families of those who lost their lives in the collapse.
In conclusion, the Gambhira Bridge collapse serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of infrastructure safety. It highlights the need for timely maintenance and response from government officials to prevent such disasters in the future. As the investigation continues, the affected families await justice and accountability from the authorities.