Gujarat Bridge Collapse: A Tragic Toll of 15 Lives and a Recurring Nightmare

A devastating bridge collapse in Gujarat on Wednesday claimed the lives of 15 people and injured many more, reigniting serious concerns about infrastructure safety in the state and across India. The incident, involving the Gambhira bridge connecting Vadodara and Anand districts, marks the 12th such major collapse in the country over the past five years, prompting urgent calls for accountability and more robust safety measures.

The 45-year-old Gambhira bridge, which spans the Mahisagar River between Padra in Vadodara and Anand districts, suddenly gave way, plunging several vehicles into the river below. Among the vehicles trapped were two trucks, a pickup truck, a van, and an auto-rickshaw. Reports indicate that a tanker narrowly escaped a more catastrophic fate by remaining precariously suspended from the collapsed structure.

Local villagers from Mujpur and surrounding areas were the first responders, swiftly initiating rescue efforts. They were soon joined by police and disaster relief teams. The injured were rushed to SSG Hospital in Vadodara. The deceased include residents from various parts of Gujarat, with three confirmed deaths from Mujpur village and four from Anklav. Tragically, a two-year-old child named Naithik was also among the victims.

A Troubling Pattern of Neglect

This is not an isolated incident for Gujarat. In 2022, the Morbhi cable bridge collapse over the Machchhu River claimed 135 lives, a tragedy that sent shockwaves across the nation. At the time, the government assured the public that all bridges would undergo thorough safety inspections. However, this latest collapse severely undermines those assurances, suggesting a disconnect between official pronouncements and on-ground realities. Adding to the concern is the fact that the Gambhira bridge had reportedly undergone repairs just last year, raising serious questions about the quality and efficacy of that work. Opposition parties have been quick to condemn the government for what they describe as negligence, demanding swift and decisive action against those responsible.

A National Crisis of Collapsing Infrastructure

Bridge collapses are a recurring and deeply troubling issue across India. A study revealed that between 1977 and 2017, a staggering 2,130 bridges collapsed in the country, many of them during construction. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the Rajya Sabha that 21 bridges on national highways had collapsed in the last three years alone, with 15 of them being existing structures and six under construction. More recently, Bihar witnessed an alarming 12 bridge collapses within a mere 17 days, casting a harsh spotlight on the quality of construction and adherence to safety standards.

The causes of bridge collapses are multifaceted, ranging from natural disasters like heavy rainfall and floods to material defects, flawed design, overloading, and, critically, inadequate maintenance. The Gambhira bridge’s age of 45 years and its collapse despite recent repairs strongly suggest a failure in the maintenance and inspection protocols.

Moving Forward: Urgent Action Required

To prevent further tragedies, comprehensive and stringent measures are desperately needed. These include:

• Regular and Rigorous Inspections: All old and critical bridges must undergo regular and thorough structural inspections.
• High-Quality Materials and Construction: Adherence to the highest quality materials and the latest engineering standards in construction is paramount.
• Overloading Control: Effective measures must be implemented to control the load of vehicles on bridges.
• Prompt Repair of Damaged Bridges: Any signs of weakness or damage in a bridge should trigger immediate repairs, with traffic restrictions imposed if necessary.
• Accountability: Strict accountability must be established for bridge collapse incidents, with severe legal action against those found responsible.
• Adoption of Modern Technology: Utilizing sensors and other modern technologies for continuous monitoring of bridge health should become standard practice.

The Gujarat bridge collapse serves as a stark warning that prioritizing infrastructure safety is no longer an option, but an absolute necessity. Immediate and effective steps are crucial to save lives and prevent such devastating incidents in the future.