The Gujarat bridge collapse has shaken Gujarat. a large section of the Gambhira Bridge collapsed during the busy morning commute on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The 40-year-old structure, which served as a crucial link between Anand and Vadodara districts, gave way around 7:30 AM, sending vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River below.
Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes as the bridge suddenly crumbled without warning. “We heard a loud cracking noise, then saw vehicles hanging off the edge before they fell into the water,” recounted one survivor. At least 9 people lost their lives in the disaster, with several others injured and rushed to nearby hospitals.
Among the victims were passengers from four vehicles that plunged into the raging river, including two heavily loaded trucks, a family in their Bolero SUV, and a pickup van carrying construction workers. Several motorcyclists and an auto-rickshaw carrying morning commuters were also caught in the disaster when the central span between two supporting piers suddenly gave way.
Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice?
Less than two years after the Morbi tragedy, Gujarat is once again mourning another fatal bridge collapse.
An independent, court-monitored probe is imperative. Something is undeniably rotten in the state of Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/6Lr4dgioIq
— Bratya Basu (@basu_bratya) July 9, 2025
Rescue teams working against strong currents managed to pull nine survivors from the wreckage, while another nine injured victims were rushed to medical facilities. The most critical cases were transported to Vadodara’s SSG Hospital, with others receiving emergency treatment at Padra Referral Hospital. Doctors reported treating injuries ranging from broken bones to near-drowning cases, with several patients in serious but stable condition.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of vehicles sliding into the river and desperate survivors clinging to floating debris until help arrived. The disaster has left entire families shattered, with many victims being daily wage workers and farmers traveling to markets at the time of collapse. Local communities have rallied to support grieving families, even as questions mount about why this aging infrastructure wasn’t replaced sooner.
The collapse has raised serious questions about infrastructure safety in Gujarat, coming just three years after the deadly Morbi bridge tragedy that claimed over 130 lives. Built in 1985, the Gambhira Bridge had been flagged for structural concerns as early as 2017, yet no substantial repairs were made despite warnings from engineers.
Rescue operations involving NDRF, SDRF and local volunteers continued throughout the day as teams worked to retrieve vehicles and search for survivors. The disaster has severed a vital transportation link, causing major disruptions to traffic between central Gujarat and Saurashtra.
Modi expressed his condolences to victims of Gujarat bridge collapses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, announcing compensation for victims’ families, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Authorities have promised to fast-track construction of a replacement bridge, with plans already approved for a ₹212 crore project.
This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety audits of India’s aging infrastructure. As investigations begin, grieving families are left asking why warning signs were ignored until it was too late. The bridge collapse serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of neglected maintenance and delayed action.
With monsoon rains continuing to batter the region, concerns now turn to other vulnerable structures across Gujarat. The state government faces mounting pressure to implement stricter safety protocols and ensure such disasters never happen again. For now, the focus remains on supporting victims’ families and restoring this critical transportation route.
Gujarat CM Responds to Bridge Collapse with Action and Compassion
In the aftermath of the Gambhira Bridge tragedy, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel moved swiftly to address both the human and structural toll. With visible emotion, he announced ₹4 lakh compensation for bereaved families and ₹50,000 for the injured while personally overseeing rescue operations involving NDRF, SDRF, and local teams.
Patel didn’t stop at crisis management. He immediately ordered a high-level probe, assembling engineering experts to determine why the 40-year-old bridge failed. Recognizing the bigger systemic issue, he vowed to audit all aging bridges statewide and fast-track the delayed ₹212 crore replacement project.
“This goes beyond one collapse,” Patel emphasized in his address, acknowledging years of ignored warnings. His office confirmed coordination with PM Modi for additional support, while officials revealed the CM’s private frustration over preventable infrastructure failures.
The response blends immediate relief with long-term reform – compensating victims while addressing the root causes that led to this preventable tragedy. As Gujarat mourns, Patel’s challenge will be transforming these urgent measures into lasting change for the state’s crumbling infrastructure