Sobham Singh
AHMEDABAD, July 9: At least ten people were killed as several vehicles plunged into a flowing river after a portion of the Gambhira Bridge near Mujpur in Padra taluka in Vadodara district in Gujarat collapsed during the peak traffic hours on Wednesday morning.
As per the initial Reports, about six vehicles, including two trucks, a Bolero SUV, and a pickup van, were crossing the Gambhira bridge, which connects central Gujarat and Saurashtra regions of the State, when a part of it suddenly crumbled and the vehicles plunged into the Mahisagar River.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a cracking noise moments before the vehicles dropped into the river. The Gambhira bridge was repaired and kept open for traffic. Local residents have said the bridge shook dangerously when vehicles crossed it.
Visuals showed the entire slab of the bridge between two piers having collapsed. The 900-metre-long Gambhira bridge has 23 piers and connects Vadodara and Anand districts of Gujarat. It was inaugurated in 1985.
Fire brigade teams, local police, and members of the Vadodara district administration launched the rescue operation. Local people also joined to assist the authorities in the rescue operations.
The chief minister Bhupendra Patel immediately ordered a technical inquiry into the collapse of the bridge. He directed technical experts to reach the site and conduct a probe into the reason for the collapse. “I have ordered the Roads and Buildings Department to conduct an immediate investigation into the accident,” Mr Patel said adding “For this, a team comprising the Chief Engineer–Design, the Chief Engineer–South Gujarat, and two private engineers, who are bridge construction experts, has been instructed to reach the site immediately, conduct a preliminary investigation into the reasons for the collapse and other technical aspects, and submit a report.”
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said six people had been rescued till the afternoon. He said the maintenance of the 40 year old bridge was carried out periodically as and when required. “The exact reason behind the incident will be probed,” the Minister said.
The minister said six of the deceased had been identified as Vaidik Padiyar (45), Naitik Padiyar (45), Hasmukh Parmar (32), Ramesh Padiyar (32), Wakhasingh Jadhav (26), and Praveen Jadhav (26).
The local BJP MLA, Chaitanyasinh Zala, who rushed to the site of the accident, claimed that the state government had already approved the construction of a new bridge. A survey was conducted and plans to build the new bridge was ready.
Expressing his grief over the tragic incident, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” The PMO also announced “An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000.”
The state government also declared compensation of Rs four lakhs each to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 as assistance to each injured. In a condolence message, the chief minister said the tragic accident was deeply distressing. Mr Patel said PM Modi personally inquired about the Gambhira bridge collapse, even as he is on a foreign visit.
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi spoke to me over the phone during his foreign visit and obtained complete details about the tragic incident involving the collapse of the Gambhira Bridge, which connects Anand and Vadodara. He expressed his condolences for the victims who lost their lives in the accident,” Mr Patel said in a post on X.
“The incident caused by the collapse of a portion of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is extremely painful,” Mr Patel said in a statement. “The State Government stands in full solidarity with every family affected by this tragedy and shares their grief,” he added.
“The accident was caused by the collapse of one span out of the 23 spans of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is tragic. I pray for the peace of the souls who lost their lives in the incident,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, adding “I have spoken to the Vadodara Collector and instructed that immediate arrangements for the treatment of the injured be made on priority.”
“Fire brigade teams from the local municipality and Vadodara Municipal Corporation, equipped with boats and divers, are engaged in rescue and relief operations at the accident site. An NDRF team has also reached the spot and joined the rescue efforts,” he noted,
The Union Minister and Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Paatil said, “The accident caused by the collapse of one span out of the 23 spans of the Gambhira bridge, which connects Anand and Vadodara, is extremely tragic. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured citizens and for peace to the departed souls who lost their lives in this accident. My condolences are with all the bereaved families. I appeal to all party workers to join the relief efforts and extend all possible assistance to the affected citizens.”
Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda posted on social media: “The main Gambhira bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara districts has collapsed. Many vehicles have fallen into the river, and major casualties are feared. The administration must immediately carry out rescue operations and arrange alternate routes for traffic.” Divers were continuing to search the river for any missing persons, and cranes had been brought in to retrieve the submerged vehicles.