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On the morning of July 9, 2025, the Gambhira bridge, a vital link between Vadodara and Anand districts in Gujarat, collapsed, plunging vehicles into the Mahisagar River below. The 43-year-old structure, built in 1985, gave way during the morning rush hour, leading to a devastating loss of life and sparking widespread concern about infrastructure safety in India. By July 10, the death toll had risen to 16, with four people still missing, as rescue operations continued tirelessly. This tragedy has not only left families grieving but also raised critical questions about the state of India’s aging infrastructure and the need for systemic reforms.
The collapse occurred around 7 a.m., when a slab of the bridge, connecting central Gujarat to the Saurashtra region, suddenly gave way. Vehicles, including two trucks, two pickup vans, an SUV, an auto-rickshaw, and a two-wheeler, plummeted into the river. The incident left a truck precariously dangling on the edge of the broken structure, a haunting image that captured the severity of the disaster. Eyewitnesses described the collapse as feeling like an earthquake, with the ground shaking as vehicles crashed into the water below.
The Human Toll: Stories of Loss and Survival
The human cost of the Gambhira bridge collapse is heart-wrenching. Among the survivors, stories of loss and narrow escapes have emerged, painting a vivid picture of the chaos and despair that unfolded. Sonalben, a survivor interviewed by news outlets, recounted how her family was en route to Bagdana to offer prayers when the bridge collapsed beneath their van. “We left at 6:30 a.m., and by 7 a.m., the bridge gave way,” she said, her voice trembling. Seven passengers were in the van, but only Sonalben survived, clinging to debris in the river until help arrived. Her story is one of many, as families across Gujarat mourn loved ones lost in the tragedy.
Another survivor, Mr. Padhiyar, described feeling vibrations on the bridge just moments before it collapsed. He managed to hold onto a metal rod, staying afloat until local fishermen came to his rescue. “It felt like the ground was shaking, and then everything fell apart,” he told reporters. These personal accounts highlight the suddenness of the disaster and the bravery of both survivors and rescuers who risked their lives to save others.
Rescue operations, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigades, and local volunteers, began immediately. Teams worked through the night, searching up to 4 kilometers downstream for missing individuals. Two vehicles stranded on the collapsed structure were pulled to safety, and three motorcyclists managed to swim ashore. Despite these efforts, the rising death toll underscores the scale of the tragedy.
A History of Warnings Ignored
What makes the Gambhira bridge collapse particularly troubling is that it was not an unforeseen event. Local residents and leaders had raised concerns about the bridge’s condition for years. As early as 2021, officials from Gujarat’s Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department were warned about “unusual vibrations” and the bridge’s “dangerous” state. Congress leader Amit Chavda, a Gujarat MLA, had publicly flagged the need for repairs, warning that the structure was dilapidated and at risk of collapse. Yet, these concerns were largely ignored.
A report from the R&B Department claimed that no major faults were found in the bridge’s structure, with only minor issues, such as faulty bearings, addressed the previous year. However, locals reported that the bridge shook visibly when heavy vehicles passed, a problem exacerbated by its use as a toll-evading route for heavy lorries. This raises questions about whether adequate inspections and maintenance were conducted, and why repeated warnings went unheeded.
The Gambhira bridge collapse is not an isolated incident. Gujarat has seen multiple bridge failures in recent years, including the catastrophic Morbi suspension bridge collapse in 2022, which claimed 135 lives. That bridge, a popular tourist attraction, had reopened just days before its collapse, following repairs that were later deemed inadequate. The recurrence of such tragedies points to systemic issues in infrastructure oversight and maintenance.
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
The collapse has sparked a fierce political debate, with opposition leaders criticizing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the incident a symptom of a “leadership crisis, corruption, and incompetence,” noting that it was the seventh bridge collapse in Gujarat since 2021. He linked the tragedy to broader infrastructure failures across India, citing recent accidents like a plane crash in Ahmedabad and frequent train derailments.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these sentiments, demanding a thorough investigation into the collapse. “Such incidents should not be taken lightly,” she said, emphasizing the need for accountability. Jignesh Mewani, another Congress leader, alleged that corruption and collusion between the state government and negligent officials contributed to the disaster. The opposition has threatened protests if a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is not formed to probe the incident and the 16 bridge collapses reported in Gujarat over the past four years.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has responded by ordering a high-level investigation. A technical team, including bridge construction specialists, has been tasked with examining the cause of the collapse. Patel also announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi supplemented this with ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences and assured that the NDRF was providing all possible assistance.
Infrastructure Challenges in India
The Gambhira bridge collapse highlights broader challenges in India’s infrastructure landscape. Many of the country’s bridges, roads, and railways were built decades ago and struggle to accommodate modern traffic demands. The Gambhira bridge, constructed in 1985, was designed for lighter vehicles and less traffic than it handled in 2025. Heavy lorries, often using the bridge to avoid tolls, placed additional stress on the aging structure.
Monsoon rains, which have been particularly heavy in Gujarat in recent years, further exacerbate the strain on infrastructure. Flooding and erosion can weaken bridge foundations, especially if maintenance is not prioritized. The collapse in Vadodara follows a similar incident in Pune in June 2025, where a bridge failure claimed four lives, and multiple collapses in other states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. These incidents underscore the urgent need for a national strategy to assess and upgrade aging infrastructure.
In response to the 2022 Morbi collapse, the Gujarat High Court ordered the state government to formulate a policy for bridge inspection and maintenance. While such a policy was introduced in 2023, its implementation appears inconsistent, as evidenced by the Gambhira tragedy. Experts argue that India needs a robust, centralized system for monitoring infrastructure, with regular inspections, transparent reporting, and swift action to address red flags.
The Role of Community and Resilience
Amid the tragedy, stories of community resilience have emerged. Local fishermen and volunteers were among the first to respond, pulling survivors from the river and assisting professional rescue teams. Jairaj Singh, a local resident, told reporters he was alerted by a friend and rushed to the scene to help. Such acts of courage and solidarity highlight the strength of Gujarat’s communities in the face of adversity.
The government’s swift announcement of financial aid, while necessary, cannot replace the lives lost or address the underlying issues that led to the collapse. Families like Sonalben’s, who lost loved ones in what was meant to be a routine journey, deserve answers and justice. The focus must now shift to ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated.
Moving Forward: Lessons and Solutions
The Gambhira bridge collapse serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of India’s infrastructure and the consequences of neglecting maintenance and oversight. To prevent future tragedies, several steps are essential:
- Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Bridges across India, particularly those built decades ago, must undergo regular, rigorous inspections. Advanced technologies, such as sensors to detect structural weaknesses, could enhance monitoring efforts.
- Accountability and Transparency: Investigations into bridge collapses must be thorough and independent, with findings made public to ensure accountability. The Gujarat government’s inquiry into the Gambhira collapse should set a precedent for transparency.
- Upgrading Infrastructure: Aging bridges must be retrofitted or replaced to meet modern traffic and environmental demands. This requires significant investment but is critical for public safety.
- Community Engagement: Local residents often notice issues, such as vibrations or cracks, before they become catastrophic. Establishing channels for communities to report concerns directly to authorities could help prevent disasters.
- National Infrastructure Policy: A unified national policy for infrastructure maintenance, with clear guidelines and funding, could address the patchwork approach currently in place across states.
The collapse of the Gambhira bridge is a tragedy that could have been prevented. As rescue operations continue and families mourn, the focus must be on learning from this disaster to build a safer, more resilient future. The people of Gujarat, and indeed all of India, deserve infrastructure they can trust.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from news reports and official statements as of July 10, 2025. It aims to provide an accurate and empathetic overview of the Gambhira bridge collapse but does not claim to be exhaustive. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources for the latest updates. The author is not liable for any inaccuracies or omissions in the information provided.
