In a shocking and tragic incident early Tuesday morning, a portion of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, collapsed suddenly, causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Mahisagar River. At least 11 people are feared dead, and several others are critically injured, as rescue operations continue into the evening.

The collapse occurred at approximately 7:30 AM, when the bridge — a key artery between Anand and Vadodara — gave way unexpectedly. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a massive cracking sound, followed by a thunderous crash as the concrete structure buckled under the weight of passing vehicles. Among the vehicles that fell into the river were several trucks, a tanker, a tractor-trailer, and a private van. Dramatically, one fuel tanker was left hanging at the edge of the broken bridge, prompting both shock and panic among onlookers and rescuers.

Rescue Operations and Victim Toll

Emergency services, including firefighters, police personnel, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Local villagers also rushed to help, forming human chains and using boats to pull survivors from the water.

According to official statements, nine bodies have been recovered, while at least five survivors have been rescued with serious injuries. The Gujarat government is yet to confirm the final death toll, but reports suggest it could rise as more vehicles are pulled from the riverbed.

Bridge Age and Neglect

Constructed in 1985, the bridge was over 40 years old and had been showing signs of wear and distress for years. Local residents claim to have raised numerous concerns with authorities about the weakening structure, but no decisive action was taken.

“We had been warning the administration for months that the bridge was cracking. Heavy trucks pass every day. No maintenance was done,” said Kantilal Parmar, a farmer from a nearby village. “This was not an accident — this was negligence.”

Political Fallout and Investigation Ordered

The tragedy has quickly turned political. The opposition Congress Party slammed the ruling BJP-led Gujarat government, calling the bridge collapse a “disaster foretold.” In a statement, Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil said:

“People’s lives were lost due to the government’s apathy and inaction. The bridge was visibly damaged, and yet it remained in use.”

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered an immediate investigation and dispatched a high-level technical team to assess the cause of the collapse. He also announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured, under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Transport Disruptions and Detours

The Gambhira Bridge formed a critical link between Anand, Vadodara, and Bharuch, used by thousands of commuters and transporters every day. Its sudden collapse has brought vehicular movement to a standstill, forcing authorities to set up emergency detours and alternate routes through smaller, less efficient roads. This is likely to affect supply chains and commercial transport, especially to and from Saurashtra.

A New Bridge — Too Little, Too Late?

Sources within the Roads and Buildings Department confirmed that a replacement bridge project had been sanctioned just three months ago, with a budget of ₹212 crore. However, the tendering and design process had only recently begun, and construction had yet to commence.

Critics argue that the delay in action cost lives. “This is a perfect example of policy on paper, but no action on the ground,” said urban planner Rahul Desai. “Old bridges should undergo mandatory annual safety audits — clearly, that didn’t happen here.”

Calls for Infrastructure Overhaul

This disaster has reignited public discourse around the state of India’s aging infrastructure, especially in semi-urban and rural districts. Infrastructure experts now demand stricter audits, transparency in safety ratings of bridges, and real-time public access to structural assessments.

Eyewitness Account: A Narrow Escape

Raju Hathiya, a truck driver, narrowly escaped death. “The bridge just broke in front of me. My truck plunged into the water. Somehow, I managed to break the window and swim out. I saw two other vehicles sinking beside me,” he recounted from his hospital bed.

Another local commuter added, “It was chaos. People were screaming, fuel was leaking, and some vehicles were submerged within seconds.”