Subhechcha Ganguly 
At least nine people lost their lives and six others were injured on Wednesday after a section of the Gambhira bridge collapsed, sending vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River. The incident has severely disrupted traffic and connectivity between Anand and Vadodara.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed the fatalities, stating that “9 bodies have been recovered and 6 people have been rescued.” He added that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has taken serious note of the incident, sending a high-level committee to the site and ordering a thorough investigation. “The CM has asked for a detailed report at the earliest and directed the Roads and Buildings Department, along with other concerned agencies, to take immediate action,” Sanghavi said.
Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya shared that rescue operations began swiftly in the morning. “Local swimmers, boats, and the Municipal Corporation team were the first to respond. Currently, teams from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), Emergency Response Centre, NDRF, police, and other administrative bodies are actively involved in the ongoing rescue efforts,” he said. Of the six injured, five were rescued earlier, while a sixth victim was found later and is now receiving medical care.
Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel revealed that the bridge was originally built in 1985 and underwent periodic maintenance. “The exact cause of the collapse will be thoroughly investigated,” he assured.
Dramatic visuals from the site showed that a large section of the bridge slab between two piers had completely caved in, leaving mangled debris and submerged vehicles in the river below. The incident has raised serious questions about the structural integrity and maintenance of aging infrastructure in the state.
Rescue operations continue as authorities work to determine the full extent of the damage and prevent further risks.
