A decades-old bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed during the Wednesday morning rush hour, leaving at least 12 people dead and sparking outrage over long-ignored safety concerns.
The bridge — built in 1985 to connect Anand and Vadodara districts — had become a popular detour for heavy lorries attempting to bypass tolls on the six-lane Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. Locals said this shortcut not only helped truckers avoid toll fees but also shaved off 30–35 km from their journey.
Tragedy struck when one of the bridge’s 23 spans gave way. Two lorries, an SUV, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw plunged into the river below. A tanker narrowly avoided falling, left teetering on the collapsed edge.
Witnesses say the collapse wasn’t entirely unexpected.
“Every time a heavy vehicle crossed, the bridge would visibly shake. It was a disaster waiting to happen,” said Devendra Patel, a resident of Borsad village. He added that another bridge in the vicinity is in equally dangerous condition.
Residents of the nearby village of Bamangam have long demanded a replacement bridge, frustrated by years of piecemeal repairs. Their concerns were finally acknowledged in November 2024, when the Gujarat government approved a new bridge project with a sanctioned budget of ₹217 crore.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered an urgent probe into the incident. A technical investigation team — comprising top state engineers and two private bridge experts — has been dispatched to assess the structural failure.
“I’ve directed the team to conduct an immediate investigation and submit a preliminary technical report,” the CM said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed.
“The loss of lives in the Vadodara bridge collapse is heartbreaking. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.