July 10, 2025
NEW DELHI – At least nine people were killed and several others sustained injuries after a portion of the Gambhira bridge on the Mahisagar River, connecting Vodadara and Anand, collapsed in Padra, Gujarat. Several vehicles, including a truck and several cars, plunged into the river following the bridge collapse on Wednesday morning. Six people have been rescued so far, as the operation is currently underway.
Confirming the death toll, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has dispatched a committee to the site and requested a report at the earliest.
“9 bodies have been recovered and 6 people have been rescued. CM sent a high committee to the spot in the morning itself, and he has sought a report at the earliest. Taking this very seriously, the CM has directed a team of the Roads and Buildings Department and other teams to go there and take concrete measures,” Sanghavi told reporters.
Earlier, Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel informed that the bridge was built in 1985 and had undergone regular maintenance and repairs.
“This bridge was built in 1985. Regular maintenance and repair of this bridge were done, but this unfortunate incident has happened,” he said.
Bridge collapse exposes rampant corruption in the Gujarat Model: Congress
Reacting to the incident, the Opposition Congress alleged that the bridge collapse had exposed the rampant corruption that was carried out in the name of the ‘Gujarat Model’.
Posting a video of the bridge collapse site, the Congress party wrote on X, “In Vadodara, Gujarat, the Gambhira Bridge built over the Mahisagar River broke in the middle. In this accident, several vehicles fell into the river, resulting in the tragic death of some people and injuries to many others. The Congress family expresses deep condolences to the affected families. We also pray to God that He grants a speedy recovery to the injured.”
It further added, “This accident exposes the rampant corruption carried out in the name of the ‘Gujarat Model’”.
Earlier in 2022, more than 140 people were killed after a cable suspension bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed days after its renovation.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is chairing a meeting of his Cabinet in Gandhinagar to review the situation caused by heavy rainfall. The agenda of the meeting includes discussions on road damage, including potholes due to continuous rains across the state.
The issue of the Gambhira bridge collapse is also likely to be discussed during the meeting.