In Vadodara, Gujarat, the partial collapse of the Gambhira bridge in the early hours of Wednesday caused great destruction as vehicles plummeted into the Mahisagar River. The bridge is a crucial connection between the Vadodara and Anand districts. It gave way around 7:30 am. Eyewitnesses claimed that they heard a booming cracking sound prior to the slab of the bridge, which was around ten to fifteen meters wide, giving way.
Rescue efforts were conducted immediately as five out of the eleven victims were saved and rushed to nearby hospitals. A couple of trucks, along with a Bolero, a pickup, and an auto-rickshaw, fully submerged into the river after the bridge collapsed, while some vehicles managed to escape just in time. The people who became victims of the incident were primarily commuters in transport vehicles who were completely oblivious to the looming danger.
Robust Rescue Operations Put in Place
The Takshashila branch of the Vadodara fire department, the local police, and the NDRF all responded at once so the rescue operations could commence at the same time. In order to search for survivors and recover bodies from the vehicles that were submerged, boats along with swimmers were utilized. Regardless of the bad weather, emergency services did their best. Many people were rescued from the strong currents of the river. There were many hours dedicated to rescuing everyone, but no one required immediate medical attention.
Bridge’s Maintenance and History Focuses on Them
The Gambhira bridge served its purpose as a vital artery for commuters and also for the movement of goods. It was built in 1985 and is close to 900 meters with 23 piers. The chief minister of Gujarat is sad about the tragic incident and is using private and state engineers in collaboration to perform a thorough technical probe. The bridge does have a pattern of taking maintenance, which is good, but further investigation will help in understanding why the bridge collapsed.
Political and Community Reaction
A surge of sorrow and worry has been triggered due to the tragedy. PM Modi and Bhupendra Patel offered grief along with compensation while ensuring prompt assistance and relief to the victims’ families. Local leaders from the opposition have raised concerns regarding the maintenance of the bridge and the responsiveness of the local governance, voicing a need for immediate action, including alternate passageways for commuters. The horrific incident has once again sparked conversations regarding infrastructure maintenance and the alarming safety inspections required on the countless old bridges throughout India.
