On the morning of July 9, 2025, a shocking incident shook Vadodara, Gujarat, when the Gambhira Bridge, a vital link between Anand and Vadodara, collapsed into the Mahisagar River. Around 7:30 AM, the 45-year-old bridge gave way, sending four vehicles, including two trucks, a pickup van, and a Bolero SUV, plunging into the river below. This tragic event has left the region in shock, with three people feared dead and five others rescued, as questions swirl about why this disaster happened.
The Gambhira Bridge, located near Mujpur in Padra taluka, has been a lifeline for daily commuters, farmers, and traders traveling between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra. For over four decades, it carried heavy traffic, including trucks loaded with goods. But locals say the bridge was crumbling, with cracks visible for years. Many had warned the authorities, but their pleas for repairs went unheard. “We told them the bridge was weak, but no one listened,” said Ramesh Patel, a nearby shopkeeper who witnessed the collapse.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. “The bridge just broke in the middle, like it was made of paper,” said Sunita Vyas, a local resident. “We heard a loud crack, and then the vehicles were gone, swallowed by the river.” Among the vehicles was a truck carrying cement, a tanker, a pickup van, and an SUV. The sight of a tanker hanging precariously on the broken edge of the bridge sent panic through the crowd that gathered.
Rescue teams, including the Vadodara fire department and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), rushed to the scene. Using ropes and deep-water divers, they pulled five people from the river, but three others could not be saved. “We are doing everything we can,” said Vadodara Collector Dr. Anil Dhamelia. “An investigation will find out why the bridge collapsed.” The injured were taken to a nearby hospital, where they are being treated.
The collapse has cut off a crucial route connecting Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, and Ankleshwar. Traffic is now being diverted through Kinkhlod, causing long delays for commuters and truck drivers. “This road is our lifeline,” said Mahesh Solanki, a farmer from Anand. “Now we have to take a longer route, and it’s costing us time and money.”
Social media is buzzing with anger and grief. Many are blaming the government for poor maintenance. Congress leader Amit Chavda posted on X, urging the authorities to speed up rescue efforts and ensure safer roads. Others called the incident a “wake-up call” for Gujarat’s aging infrastructure. Posts on X also shared videos of the broken bridge, showing the tanker dangling dangerously, sparking debates about the state’s “Gujarat Model” of development.
Why did the Gambhira Bridge fall? Early reports suggest the bridge, built in the 1980s, was not strong enough for today’s heavy vehicles. Some blame recent heavy rainfall for weakening its structure, while others point to years of neglect. “This bridge was a disaster waiting to happen,” said an engineer who visited the site but wished to remain unnamed. “It wasn’t checked or repaired properly for years.”
This isn’t the first bridge collapse in Gujarat, and it raises bigger questions. Are our roads and bridges safe? Who is responsible when they fail? The government has promised a full investigation, but for the families of those lost and the thousands affected, answers can’t come soon enough. As rescue operations continue and the region grapples with this tragedy, the Gambhira Bridge collapse is a stark reminder: we must act before it’s too late.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 10:56 am by M.Deepak Reddy | Published by: M.Deepak Reddy on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 10:56 am | News Categories: India, News
About Us: Republic Post covers the latest News on Current News, Business, Sports, Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Automobiles, and more, led by Editor-in-Chief Ankur Srivastava. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Google News, and Whatsapp Channel.
Disclaimer: At Republic Post, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.
Contact Us: rishidharqitech@gmail.com
About The Author
Leave a Reply