Premium

New bridge parallel to Gambhira: state begins tendering process

Govt disburses Rs 62 lakh as aid to deceased’s kin, survivors of bridge collapse

The new bridge, which will connect Padra to Anklav, will stand parallel to the recently collapsed bridge in which at least 20 people were killed. (Express Photo)

The Gujarat government has started the process to build a new two-lane high-level bridge on the Mahi river near Mujpur village in Vadodara district’s Padra taluka at a cost of Rs 212 crore, stated an official release on Sunday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had given an in-principle approval to build the bridge in November 2024 and the tendering process has begun to build the bridge in 18 months, the release added.

The new bridge, which will connect Padra to Anklav, will stand parallel to the Gambhira bridge, which collapsed on July 9, killing at least 20 people.

The government on Sunday also said that it has disbursed financial aid worth a total of Rs 62 lakh to the survivors and the relatives of the deceased in the bridge collapse incident.

Story continues below this ad

Opinion | Gujarat bridge collapse: We need an audit of ageing infrastructure

Meanwhile, search continued for the fifth day for 22-year-old Vikram Padhiyar from Narsingpura village of Anklav taluka who was on his way to Padra town with his friend Rajesh Chavda, where both worked in an electrical unit, when their motorbike fell off the broken bridge. While Chavda’s body was found, there is no trace of Padhiyar yet.

An official release by the government read: “The State Government…has extended compassionate support to the families affected and injured in the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge accident. As part of the announced financial assistance, cheques totalling Rs 62 lakh were distributed today. This includes Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, handed over by MP Jasubhai Rathva and MLA Shri Chaitanyasinh Zala.”

It added, “Considering the seriousness of the incident, this aid was approved immediately and disbursed without delay. As per the current list, cheques totaling Rs 62 lakh have been distributed, covering four injured individuals and the families of 15 deceased.”

Also Read | 3 days after Vadodara bridge collapse, one person remains missing; probe to check if prior accident had damaged slab that gave way

“A detailed project report was recently prepared by the Roads & Buildings Department after conducting a survey. And it was given an in-principle approval by the Chief Minister,” the release also said about the upcoming bridge.

Story continues below this ad

It added: “…owing to the bridge collapse accident, issues of connecting central Gujarat with Saurashtra, employment of locals and commuting of students had cropped up. In view of that, the CM has given instructions to immediately build the bridge.”

As explained by Superintending Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department, N V Rathva, the existing two-lane Mujpur approach road will be widened to a 7-metre four-lane road, the release stated. The 4.2 km stretch from the highway to the bridge will also be expanded to four lanes.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram