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Gambhira Bridge Disaster: A Preventable Tragedy Unfolds in Vadodara
A 40-year-old bridge collapse in Gujarat has claimed 10 lives, sparking outrage as a 2022 audio clip reveals officials knew of its 'unsound' condition.
Vadodara, Gujarat – 9 July 2025 – A devastating bridge collapse in Vadodara district has left ten people dead and five injured, igniting a firestorm of public anger as evidence mounts that authorities were long aware of the structure's precarious state. The 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge, spanning the Mahisagar River, gave way early Tuesday morning, sending four vehicles, including two trucks and a Bolero jeep, plummeting into the waters below.
The tragedy has quickly transformed into a national talking point, with accusations of bureaucratic apathy and neglected warnings at its core. Central to the public outcry is a leaked phone conversation from August 22, 2022. In the now-viral audio clip, Vadodara-based social activist Lakhan Darbar can be heard speaking with a Roads & Buildings (R&B) department officer who chillingly admits the bridge was "structurally unsound" and "would not last long."
Despite this alarming admission, which reportedly included a mention of a repair proposal and a design inspection team, no preventative measures were taken. The officer in the recording even expressed concern that the bridge wouldn't survive the year. Yet, for nearly two more years, the Gambhira Bridge remained untouched, a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
Further underscoring this pattern of inaction, a district panchayat member had reportedly submitted multiple written requests for urgent repairs, all of which seemingly fell on deaf ears.
In the immediate aftermath, activist Lakhan Darbar has vociferously demanded criminal accountability. "An FIR must be filed immediately. The responsible officers should be arrested and jailed," he stated, reflecting the widespread public demand for justice.
However, the administrative response appears divided. While the three-year-old viral audio clip clearly points to prior warnings, Executive Engineer N.M. Nayakawala, present at the collapse site, offered a contrasting view. "The Gambhira Bridge was built in 1985 and has a lifespan of 100 years. It was not in a dilapidated condition. Maintenance work was carried out last year, and potholes were filled this year as well. Our inspection report did not indicate any major structural damage. The bridge was not considered unsafe. The exact cause of the collapse will be known only after the detailed report is submitted," Nayakawala told the media, a statement that has only intensified public skepticism.
Visuals from the scene are stark, showing an entire slab of the bridge between two piers completely collapsed, the gaping void a grim testament to the sudden and catastrophic failure.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has expressed his grief over the tragedy and has ordered the state's roads and buildings department to conduct a thorough probe and submit a report. In a post on X, he confirmed that teams from the department and private engineers specializing in bridge construction have been dispatched to conduct a preliminary investigation into the causes and technical aspects of the collapse. Rescue and relief operations are underway, with local fire brigade teams, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, and NDRF teams working with boats and swimmers at the accident site.
Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel reiterated that the bridge was constructed in 1985 and underwent periodic maintenance, promising a full investigation into the exact reason behind the incident.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, conveying his condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The Prime Minister's Office announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 9, 2025
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The…
The conflicting narratives, coupled with the tragic loss of life, have cemented the Gambhira Bridge collapse as a profound symbol of bureaucratic negligence and ignored warnings – a truly preventable disaster that has now become a national embarrassment.(The new indian express & pib)
#GambhiraBridgeCollapse #VadodaraTragedy#Gujarat #Negligence#IndiaNews
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