What Led to the Gujarat Bridge Collapse? CM Patel Announces Rs 4 Lakh Compensation for Victims' Families

Ahmedabad, July 9 (NationPress) Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel declared a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the bridge collapse incident in Vadodara.

An additional Rs 50,000 will be provided for the injured individuals.

Among the nine victims, six have been identified as Vedika Padhiyar, Naitik Padhiyar, Hasmukh Parmar, Ramesh Padhiyar, Vakhtsinh Jadav, and Pravin Jadav.

Some injured individuals include Sonal Padhiyar, Narendrasinh Parmar, Ganpatsinh Rajula, Dilipbhai Padhiyar, Raju Dadubhai, and Rajesh Chavda.

The Chief Minister shared on social media platform X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted him to discuss the ongoing rescue and relief operations following the bridge collapse.

This tragic incident occurred early Wednesday morning on the 43-year-old bridge over the Mahisagar River in Vadodara.

In response to the tragedy, PM Modi expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia sum of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

“The loss of lives due to the bridge collapse in Vadodara is profoundly saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to the injured,” stated the Prime Minister’s Office (@PMOIndia) on X.

The collapse transpired around 7:30 a.m. on the Gambhira bridge situated near Mujpur village in Padra taluka.

This bridge was crucial for linking Vadodara and Anand, serving as a vital connection between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra.

Officials reported that various vehicles, including two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw, were on the bridge when a significant slab between two piers collapsed, causing the vehicles to plunge into the Mahisagar River.

As the bridge is now unusable, authorities have proposed alternate routes: Heavy vehicles from Tarapur to Vadodara should take the Vasad route. Light vehicles to Vadodara should use the Umeta route instead of the Gambhira Bridge. From Padra to Anand/Tarapur: heavy vehicles via Vasad, light vehicles via Umeta.

The Vadodara district administration, alongside police and fire brigade teams, is conducting the rescue operations, facing strong river currents. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaotic scene as vehicles sank shortly after the collapse. Retrieving a submerged truck remains a significant challenge.

Padra MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala arrived at the scene promptly to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts.

Authorities have secured the area, and an investigation will be initiated to uncover the precise cause of the collapse.