Key questions answered about Gujarat bridge collapse that left 11 dead

A slab of the 43-year-old Gambhira bridge located over the Mahisagar river in Gujarat collapsed early Wednesday morning. Multiple vehicles, including two trucks, two pickup vans, and an auto-rickshaw, plunged into the river. At least ten people, including children, were killed and nine others were rescued.

The Gambhira bridge connects central Gujarat to the Saurashtra region. Constructed in 1985, the bridge was considered a vital link for transport and trade between the two areas.

According to Vadodara District Collector Anil Dhameliya, the bridge had undergone repairs last year. “The executive engineers of the Road and Bridges Department are on their way to the spot. We will examine the details of the bridge once the rescue work is completed,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to each of the injured.

2025 has two other major bridge related accidents.

• Pune, Maharashtra (June) 
  An iron bridge at Kundamala near Pune collapsed under the weight of tourists. At least four people, including a child died, and 38 others were injured. The Indrayani river beneath was swollen due to heavy rains, complicating rescue efforts.
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat (March)
  A massive gantry used for installing girders on the bullet train corridor slipped during retraction in Vatva. Though no casualties were reported, the accident disrupted nearby railway lines. The NHSRCL acknowledged the incident and is investigating the failure.

Many bridges and public structures built in the 1980s and earlier are now past or nearing the end of their intended lifespan. Despite periodic maintenance, poor audit systems and a lack of modernisation efforts are leading to increased risks.

Each incident is undergoing state-level and central authority review. The Gujarat bridge collapse is being investigated by the Road and Bridges Department, while the NHSRCL is looking into the gantry failure near Ahmedabad.

The Vadodara Collectorate on Wednesday afternoon issued a notification regarding alternative routes that can be used for traffic, hours after a portion of the Gambhira bridge collapse into Mahisagar river.

• According to the statement, those heading from Vadodara to Tarapur can go from Vadodara to Fazalpur and from there, can head to Vasad. Those going from Vadodara to Borsad and its villages can head towards Sindhrot and Umeta in Anand. Heavy vehicles have been recommended to go towards Fazalpur and then towards Vasad.