The Panchmahal district administration in Gujarat has taken action following a serious bridge collapse incident. The Gambhira Bridge, located near Padra in Vadodara district, collapsed on Wednesday morning. This tragic event resulted in four vehicles plunging into the river, leading to a reported death toll of ten, with five others injured.
The bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand, is crucial for local transport. Following the incident, officials from the district administration, including the local officer and engineers from the Roads and Buildings department, rushed to the site to assess the damage. Their investigation revealed that several bridges, including the Satpul Bridge in Godhra city, are in a deteriorating condition, raising serious safety concerns.
Despite repeated requests from local residents and public representatives for repairs, no significant action had been taken until now. The collapse of the Gambhira Bridge has prompted the authorities to conduct an urgent review of all bridges in the district. This incident has highlighted the need for immediate repairs and upgrades to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The state government has announced that a full report will be prepared in the coming days to plan for necessary repairs or the construction of new bridges. The Gambhira Bridge itself was 45 years old and had previously undergone some repairs. However, heavy rainfall had worsened its condition, leading to this unfortunate event.
In the aftermath of the collapse, political disputes have arisen. Opposition leaders have raised questions about the state of the bridge and accused the government of negligence. One such leader, Amit Chavda, has demanded accountability for the loss of lives. Additionally, the Aam Aadmi Party leader, Isudan Gadhvi, referred to the incident as a man-made disaster and called for the resignation of the Chief Minister.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, with teams present at the site to search for any missing persons. The incident has disrupted transport between Vadodara, Anand, Bharuch, and Ankleshwar, causing significant traffic jams in the region.
The state government has suspended four officials in connection with the bridge collapse, including executive engineer N. M. Naikawala. Public outrage was evident when a video surfaced showing Naikawala being confronted by angry residents, demanding answers about the bridge’s state. Amidst the chaos, Naikawala attempted to leave the scene, indicating the level of frustration among the community.
Health Minister Rishikesh Patel visited the injured at SSG Hospital in Vadodara, ensuring they received the best possible care. This incident has raised serious questions about the construction and maintenance quality of bridges in the state, urging the government to take immediate actions to guarantee safety for all citizens.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on preventing such incidents in the future. The local administration is under pressure to ensure that all bridges are thoroughly inspected and repaired as needed. The tragic loss of lives has underscored the importance of infrastructure safety in Gujarat, prompting calls for more attention and funding to address these critical issues.
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