A tragic incident occurred in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Wednesday morning when the 43-year-old Gambhira bridge, connecting Vadodara and Anand, suddenly collapsed. Around 7:30 AM on Wednesday, a section of the Gambhira bridge, built over the Mahisagar River, unexpectedly collapsed, resulting in a major accident. As the bridge gave way, two trucks, a car, and several two-wheelers plunged directly into the river. This horrific accident claimed the lives of two people on the spot, while three others were seriously injured.
Chaos erupted in the area as soon as the bridge collapsed. Local administration, the fire department, and teams of divers immediately rushed to the scene and initiated a rescue operation. Police Inspector Vijay Charan of Padra informed that four people have been rescued so far. However, it is still unclear how many vehicles fell into the river, as the riverbed is deep, and the water flow is swift.
Bridge was 43 years old
The Gambhira bridge over the Mahisagar River was approximately 43 years old and had been in a dilapidated condition for a long time. Local residents reported that the bridge often felt shaky, and complaints regarding its repair had been lodged multiple times. However, no action was taken to address the issue seriously.
People also mentioned that heavy vehicles coming from Saurashtra used this old bridge to avoid toll taxes, further increasing its load. Surprisingly, despite the administration's full knowledge of the bridge's condition, it was not closed for traffic.
Approval already granted
Following this accident, another significant question mark has arisen regarding the administration's working style. According to the Vadodara Collector, the plan for the construction of a new bridge parallel to this one had already been approved, but no work has commenced yet.
Currently, no alternative route has been arranged after the accident, causing significant inconvenience to people traveling. Local residents allege that the administration did not show any vigilance before the monsoon began, nor did it issue any warnings regarding the bridge.
Accusations of negligence
There is outrage among local residents and social organizations following the bridge collapse. They claim that if the bridge had been repaired in time or traffic had been restricted, this fatal accident could have been avoided. Despite repeated complaints and warnings, the administration neither took any action nor implemented any safety measures.
Now that the accident has occurred, it is natural to question the administrative negligence. This accident not only claimed lives but also exposed the apathy of the government system.
Rescue operation in progress
Currently, relief and rescue operations are underway rapidly at the accident site. A team of divers is engaged in searching for the submerged vehicles and missing persons in the river. Considering the seriousness of the accident, the district administration has ordered an investigation into the matter to determine the actual causes of the bridge collapse.
Meanwhile, local people and social workers are now demanding action against the officials responsible for this accident. They state that this is not a simple accident but the result of negligence and oversight, for which ordinary people had to pay the price by losing their lives.
