Vadodara Bridge Collapse Due to Structural Failure Confirms Gujarat Minister
A section of the Gambhira bridge in Vadodara district collapsed on July 9, leading to the deaths of 19 people and injuries to several others. Gujarat’s Roads and Buildings Minister confirmed that a preliminary technical report pointed to structural failure as the cause of the collapse. The report highlighted the crushing of the pedestal and articulation, key components supporting the bridge, as the main reason behind the sudden failure.
Rescue Operations and Investigations
The incident occurred when multiple vehicles were on the bridge, plunging into the Mahi River as the structure gave way. Rescue operations were carried out by local authorities along with disaster response teams, and a search is still ongoing for two missing persons. The state government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the matter and has given it 30 days to submit a detailed report.
Engineers Suspended, Bridges Under Review
In response to the tragedy, four engineers from the Roads and Buildings Department have been suspended. The Gujarat Chief Minister has also ordered safety checks and structural assessments for all old bridges in the state to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Bridge Was Built in 1985
The Gambhira bridge, built in 1985, had been in use for nearly four decades. Concerns were raised in recent years about the condition of the structure, but no substantial repair work was undertaken. Opposition parties have criticised the state administration for ignoring repeated warnings and failing to conduct timely maintenance.
The collapse has reignited debate over infrastructure safety in India, with experts calling for urgent reforms in inspection protocols and public accountability for maintenance of critical structures.
