In a tragic event on Wednesday morning, a portion of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge in Padra taluka, Vadodara district, collapsed, resulting in multiple vehicles crashing into the Mahi River. This bridge is crucial as it connects Anand and Vadodara districts. The incident occurred during peak morning hours, leading to significant traffic.
As of now, the death toll has tragically risen to 12, with at least six individuals reported injured and transported to nearby hospitals. A total of seven vehicles, including a truck and a Bolero SUV, fell into the river. Rescue teams, including fire brigade personnel and local police, are actively working to retrieve the vehicles and search for individuals who may be missing. Local residents are also joining the rescue efforts.
The Vadodara Collector mentioned that recovering a large truck from the river has proven challenging, and operations are ongoing. Among the deceased are names such as Vedika Padhiyar, Naitik Padhiyar, and Hasmukh Parmar, while the injured include individuals like Sonal Padhiyar and Narendrasinh Parmar.
In response to this tragedy, both the state and central governments have announced compensation. Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel declared ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the incident and announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased, along with ₹50,000 for the injured. The President of India also extended condolences and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Authorities have issued traffic diversions to manage the situation following the collapse. Heavy vehicles travelling from Tarapur to Vadodara are advised to use the Vasad route, while light vehicles are directed towards the Umeta route.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals and political figures, who blame poor maintenance for the bridge’s collapse. Residents claim that despite repeated warnings about the bridge’s condition, no action was taken to repair it. The Padra MLA, Chaitanyasinh Zala, visited the site to assess the situation.
Calls for a high-level investigation into the incident are growing, as many demand accountability for the structural failure. The authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents, and a formal inquiry is expected soon to investigate the bridge’s integrity and any possible negligence.
This tragic event has raised serious concerns about infrastructure safety across Gujarat. The Gambhira Bridge was built in 1985, and its failure has drawn attention to the need for regular maintenance of aging structures. The public is demanding immediate action to ensure such tragedies do not happen again.
As the rescue operations continue, the community is mourning the loss of life and hoping for the swift recovery of the injured. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public infrastructure and the need for transparency in government oversight.
The Gambhira bridge collapse is not an isolated incident in India. In the past, several bridge collapses have highlighted issues related to maintenance and safety standards, leading to discussions about the urgent need for improvements across the country. Authorities must take these incidents seriously to prevent future tragedies.
Leave a Reply