What Happened When the Gambhira-Mujpur Bridge Collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara?

Vadodara, July 9 (NationPress) A somber incident unfolded in Gujarat’s Vadodara district as a section of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge in Padra taluka crumbled, sending multiple vehicles into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River. Tragically, nine lives were lost, and many others sustained injuries. Survivors of the calamity shared their harrowing experiences of the moment the bridge unexpectedly collapsed beneath them.

In an interview with IANS, Raju, a survivor, recounted, “There was a pickup truck, a rickshaw, and a motorcycle on the bridge when it fell. I was on the bridge with my uncle, who is now missing. I fell into the river and managed to survive. I was traveling from Dwarka to Tadkeshwar by bus.”

Another survivor, Narendra Singh, described his experience: “I was on my bike returning home from work. Just as I approached the bridge, it gave way right beneath me.”

The bridge, a vital link between Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed during peak traffic, with initial reports indicating that four vehicles—including a Bolero SUV, two trucks, and a pickup van—were on the structure when it broke apart without warning.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud cracking noise just before the vehicles plunged into the river.

Emergency personnel, including the fire brigade, local police, and officials from the Vadodara district administration, quickly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of life, announcing an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh 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 life due to the bridge collapse in Vadodara district is profoundly tragic. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office (@PMOIndia) posted on X.

Local residents joined in the rescue efforts, assisting in pulling the injured from the water and debris. At least three individuals were rescued and transported to the hospital.

Padra MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala visited the site shortly after the tragedy, while authorities secured the area and began an investigation into the reasons for the collapse.

Residents claim that years of administrative neglect contributed to the disaster. “This bridge was already in a precarious state. People had been raising alarms about it for a long time. It was not only a traffic hazard but had also become a point of despair,” commented one local.

Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda voiced his concerns on social media: “The main Gambhira bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara has collapsed, with multiple vehicles falling into the river. Immediate rescue efforts are crucial, and alternative traffic solutions must be implemented.”

Rescue operations continued late into the evening, with teams using cranes to recover submerged vehicles from the river.