Gambhira Bridge Collapse in Gujarat Kills 15, Sparks Concerns Over Infrastructure Failures

Gambhira Bridge Collapse in Gujarat Kills 15, Sparks Concerns Over Infrastructure Failures

Gujarat Bridge Collapse: 15 Dead as Gambhira Tragedy Marks 12th Major Bridge Failure in 5 Years

Vadodara, Gujarat – July 10, 2025: In an embarrassing incident for Gujrat Government, the death toll from the tragic Gambhira bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Vadodara district climbed to 15, after rescue teams recovered two more bodies from the Mahisagar River on Thursday. The nearly 40-year-old bridge gave way suddenly on Wednesday morning, sending five vehicles plummeting into the river.

The incident occurred near Padra town, about 25 kilometers from Vadodara, as a significant section of the bridge slab between two piers collapsed unexpectedly. Nine people have been rescued so far, while four individuals remain missing. Visuals from the site show a gaping hole where the bridge once stood, with concrete debris submerged in the flowing river.

12 Bridge Collapses in Five Years Raise Red Flags

Shockingly, the Gambhira bridge collapse is not an isolated incident. It marks the 12th major bridge failure in Gujarat over the last five years, highlighting severe structural vulnerabilities and raising serious questions about the state’s infrastructure safety, inspection protocols, and maintenance accountability.

Below is a timeline of key bridge failures in Gujarat since 2020:

• Jan 24, 2020: Khari River bridge in Mehsana declared unsafe.
• Dec 21, 2021: Mumtazpura bridge in Ahmedabad partially collapsed.
• Oct 30, 2022: Morbi’s Machhu River bridge disaster killed over 140 people.
• 2022: Hatkeshwar bridge in Ahmedabad closed following stability issues.
• Oct 23, 2023: Under-construction bridge in Palanpur collapsed.
• Feb 14, 2024: Bridge near Visnagar, Mehsana sank partially.
• Jul 30, 2024: Metro bridge in Saroli, Surat tilted after damage.
• Aug 26, 2024: Halvad bridge in Morbi collapsed.
• Aug 27, 2024: Chotila, Surendranagar bridge collapsed after rain.
• Nov 5, 2024: Bullet train bridge segment in Anand collapsed.
• Jun 2025: Bridge over Pataliya River in Botad damaged due to heavy rain.
• Jul 9, 2025: Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara–Anand route.

Ageing Infrastructure and Oversight Failures

Officials confirmed that the Gambhira bridge, built nearly four decades ago, had not undergone any major structural renovation or reinforcements in recent years. While traffic on the bridge was moderate, there were no visible warning signs or prior inspection reports suggesting imminent collapse.

Experts point out that Gujarat’s bridge safety protocols need urgent overhaul, especially after the Morbi disaster in 2022, where 141 people lost their lives due to the collapse of a suspension bridge that had reopened without a structural safety audit.

Search and Rescue Operations Continue

Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and fire brigades, are ongoing. Drones and sonar equipment are being used to locate the missing victims in the muddy waters of the Mahisagar.

The District Collector of Vadodara, while speaking to the media, said that compensation would be provided to victims’ families, and an inquiry committee has been formed to probe the reasons behind the collapse.

Government Response and Political Reactions

The incident has triggered a wave of criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who accuse the state government of negligence.

The state government has assured that an independent technical audit will be conducted on all old bridges, especially those built before 1990, and action will be taken against engineering lapses or administrative negligence.