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Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Search ops resume at Gujarat bridge collapse site to retrieve missing man
Vadodara, The search and rescue operations resumed in the Mahisagar River in Gujarat's Vadodara for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday to retrieve the body of a man still missing since the bridge collapse and to remove vehicles and the main slab of structure that fell into the river. Search ops resume at Gujarat bridge collapse site to retrieve missing man The toll in the tragedy rose to 20 on Friday after one more body was recovered from the river and another injured person died at the hospital while undergoing treatment. One more person is still missing, and efforts to find him resumed on Saturday, Vadodara collector Anil Dhameliya said. Several vehicles plunged into the river after a segment of the 40-year-old bridge near Gambhira village, connecting Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed on Wednesday morning. The collector said another focus of the operation on Saturday will be to remove a large chunk of slab that has fallen into the river. "In the next stage of our operation , we will take the help of a technical team to remove the main slab and retrieve the body of the missing person. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board will be roped in to safely extricate the tanker carrying sulphuric acid that has fallen into the river," Dhameliya said. Citing a preliminary probe report, a state minister had on Friday said the collapse was caused by the "crushing of pedestal and articulation joints". Rescuers have been working amid challenging conditions such as 3.5-metre-deep mud, release of soda ash in water and the presence of a tanker containing sulphuric acid. The National Disaster Response Force , State Disaster Response Force and other agencies are part of the rescue efforts. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has suspended four engineers of the state's Roads and Buildings Department in connection with the bridge collapse. Minister Rushikesh Patel, who visited the site of the tragedy on Friday, said that the action was taken based on a preliminary report submitted by a committee set up by the chief minister. A high-level probe committee of the state's roads and buildings department will submit a detailed report in 30 days, he said. Out of the 7,000 bridges in the state that have been surveyed, the government has identified those that need repairs or require the construction of new ones. Action is taken on them accordingly, he said after the visit. Gujarat has witnessed six major incidents of bridge collapse since 2021. In December 2021, a slab collapsed during the construction of the Mumatpura flyover on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city. Nobody was injured in the incident. In October 2022, as many as 135 persons were killed when a British-era suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in Morbi town collapsed. In June 2023, a newly built bridge on the Mindhola River in the Tapi district collapsed. No one was hurt in the accident. In September 2023, four persons were injured after a portion of an old bridge on the Bhogavo River in Surendranagar district collapsed when a 40-tonne dumper was navigating it near Wadhwan city. In October 2023, two persons sitting in an autorickshaw died after six concrete girders or slabs, which were installed on the pillars of an under-construction bridge near the RTO Circle in Palanpur town of Banaskantha, collapsed. In August 2024, a small bridge on the Bhogavo River connecting Habiyasar village with Chotila town in Surendranagar district collapsed after a sudden rise in water following discharge from an overflowing dam. No casualties were reported in the incident. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Gujarat Bridge Collapse Death Count Now 15, Rescue Teams Tackle 3-Metre Mud
Ahmedabad: The death count in the Gambhira bridge collapse in Gujarat's Vadodara district has climbed to 15, and three people are still missing. Disaster response teams are conducting the rescue operation and two more vehicles are likely in the river. Sharing the updates about the rescue operation, District Collector Anil Dhameliya said, "The death count is now 15 and three people are missing." The Collector said two more vehicles are likely in the river. These likely include a car and a truck. "If you have any information about a missing person, share it with our control room so that it aids the rescue work," he said. The Collector said deep mud, about three metres deep, is disrupting rescue work and a makeshift bridge is being prepared to aid rescue workers. Rescue workers are also battling heavy rain in the area. Multiple vehicles, including trucks, fell into the Mahisagar river early yesterday after the 40-year-old Gambhira bridge connecting Vadodara and Anand districts gave way. As a stretch of the bridge collapsed, several vehicles passing through fell into the river. With the bridge tragedy raising questions of administrative apathy, the Bhupendra Patel-led BJP government in Gujarat has ordered an investigation into the factors behind the incident. The probe team visited the site this morning. A team from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board also visited the spot because one of the tankers that fell into the river was carrying chemicals. The Gambhira bridge, built in 1985, was a disaster waiting to happen. Local residents have said it shook dangerously when vehicles crossed it. Following a recommendation from local BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the state government approved the construction of a new bridge. A survey was conducted and plans to build the new bridge were afoot. The Gambhira bridge was repaired and kept open to traffic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said the loss of lives in the Gujarat tragedy is "deeply saddening". "Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the Prime Minister's Office said on X. The Gujarat Chief Minister has separately announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each person who died in the accident. "Additionally, each person injured in the accident will receive assistance of 50,000 rupees, and all treatment arrangements will also be provided by the state government," he said. Targeting the state government over the incident, the Opposition Congress has said it reflects the "corruption and decay behind the Gujarat Model". "In this accident, several vehicles fell into the river, resulting in tragic deaths and injuries. The Congress family expresses deep condolences and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Congress said in a social media post. The party also alleged "rampant corruption" in the state's infrastructure projects.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Valsad: Oil spills reported in Nargol and Umargam beaches
Oil spills, in the form of tar balls, were reported along the beaches of Nargol and Umargam in Valsad district — the reason behind which is yet to be ascertained — following which the officials of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) reached the areas and collected samples for tests. According to officials, the oil spill, after coming in contact with coastal sands, turns into tar balls. The matter came to light on Sunday morning when fishermen from Nargol and Umargam went to the beaches and found a black layer of tar balls spread all over the area. In Nargol, the fishermen reported the incident to village sarpanch Sweety Bhandari, who reached the beach with the gram panchayat members and surveyed the entire 7-kilometre stretch of the beach. The GPCB authorities have set up multiple teams and deployed them to various beaches in Valsad, said sources. On Monday, a team from the GPCB, Valsad division, visited Nargol beach and collected samples from the beach. Meanwhile, the Nargol Gram Panchayat started the cleaning work on the beach as it witnesses a large footfall of tourists. Repeated phone attempts to contact Valsad division GPCB regional officer A O Trivedi for his remarks over the development went unanswered. Nargol resident and environment activist Yatin Bhandari told this paper, 'Oil spills were reported along the beaches of Nargol and Umargam. The oil spill may have taken place deep into the sea due to the neighbouring ONGC Bombay High oil field. During the monsoon season, with high-speed winds and high tides in the sea, oil spill incidents take place at Nargol and Umargam beaches. We had requested the GPCB officials to clean the spill as a large number of tourists visit the beach. Since the officials did not take any action, the village sarpanch and a few volunteers started the cleaning work.' Sarpanch Sweety Bhandari told The Indian Express, 'We have started the procedure to get Blue Flag certification for Nargol beach. Currently, Dwarka's Shivrajpur beach is the only one in the state that holds a Blue Flag.' The Blue Flag certification is awarded to beaches for meeting high standards of water quality, environmental management and safety among other criterias. Sweety Bhandari added, 'Every year, over 6,000 people from Gujarat and Maharashtra come to Nargol beach for a pre-wedding shoot. We charge Rs 500 as a fee, which is used to clean and maintain the beach. We also keep a record of the people attending the pre-wedding shoots at the Gram Panchayat office. The beach is a popular destination among foreign tourists also.' 'We complained about the presence of tar balls on the beach to the concerned authorities, but no action was taken. We are now cleaning the beach on our own,' the sarpanch added.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
GPCB files FIR for 70 tonnes of plastics dumped in Halol
Vadodara: Some factories manufacturing plastic bags in Halol, which have faced raids since Jan, seem to have dumped material in the open at villages in Halol taluka. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) registered an offence for two instances of such dumping in the district. The Halol municipality, Panchmahal district administration and GPCB have conducted several joint raids in Halol on units manufacturing single-use plastics, which is prohibited under the law. A large quantity of material was seized during these raids, and it emerged that some units, which were closed on paper, were still manufacturing plastic bags. The dumping of such bags in the open has now been brought to the notice of GPCB. On Saturday, the regional officer of the Panchmahal GPCB, Dr Pradeep Dave, received a call from Piyush Baria, the sarpanch of Amrapuri village in Halol taluka. Baria told Dave about a vast amount of plastic bags dumped near the village. Dave formed a team and visited the site on Sunday. On his way, Dave saw a large quantity of plastic bags also dumped near Sonipur village. The FIR filed at Halol rural police station states that when the team spoke to a villager, Ganpatgiri Nayak, he told them that the material had been dumped at the site by one Anwar Pathan, a resident of Mahudipura in Waghodia taluka of Vadodara. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to Find Gas Detectors for Various Needs in Belgium (Learn More) Gas Detectors | Search Ads Undo Nayak told the team that the material had been dumped there four months ago. He also said that Pathan was told to take the material away but did not do so. The team found about 40 metric tonnes (MT) of plastic dumped at Sonipur village. At Amrapuri village, for which Dave had received a call, about 30 MT of plastic bags were found dumped in the open by unknown persons. Dave's complaint states that plastic waste must be disposed of in a scientific manner at a facility approved by GPCB. The FIR was registered on Sunday evening under Sections 280, 286, 287 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 7, 8 and 15 (1) of the Environment Protection Act.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM calls for collective action to transform PM Modi's vision of 'ending plastic pollution' into mass movement
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 6 (ANI): During the World Environment Day 2025 event held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called for collective efforts to transform the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ending Plastic Pollution' into a mass movement. The program, jointly organised by the Forest and Environment Department and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, was graced by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel. CM Patel emphasised that World Environment Day is more than just an event; it is a day for everyone to pledge to end plastic pollution. He highlighted the ongoing nationwide campaign, 'One Nation, One Mission - End Plastic Pollution,' which has been active for the past 15 days under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The CM stated that development cannot come at the cost of the environment. The Prime Minister has envisioned sustainable development through environmental conservation. The CM stated that the spirit of environmental preservation has been deeply embedded in our culture since ancient times, reflected in the belief in seeing divinity in plants. He also shared details about the launch of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 campaign, which includes the development of 'Sindoor Van' in Ahmedabad and the creation of 'Matru Van' through the plantation of 4,000 saplings at the Secretariat premises in Gandhinagar. The CM expressed concern over the increasing environmental risks due to the easy and widespread use of plastic. He stated that plastic is one of humanity's significant inventions and has become an integral part of our lifestyle. However, single-use plastic poses a serious threat to the environment and future generations. The time has come to decide whether we want to leave the next generation a world filled with plastic or one that is free from plastic. As responsible citizens and civilised people, we must acknowledge the damage and serious risks posed by unnecessary plastic use, CM stated. The Chief Minister said that as part of the Aravalli Green Wall Project launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, the state government aims to plant tree saplings over 19,225 hectares across seven districts of Gujarat, namely, Aravalli, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Panchmahal, Mahisagar, and Dahod. He highlighted that starting from this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has introduced the four 'R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover -- as a mantra for environmental protection. Shri Narendra Modi is a visionary leader who has consistently pioneered innovative approaches to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management both nationally and globally. Initiatives like 'One Sun, One Earth,' promoting renewable energy, the 'Net Zero' carbon emissions goal, 'Green Growth' for sustainable development, and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to preserve Earth's greenery are landmark programs that guide the nation towards a sustainable future. The Chief Minister added that the Prime Minister has emphasised environmental and nature conservation in our daily lives through initiatives like 'Catch the Rain' for groundwater recharge and 'Mission LiFE' for water sustainability. The Chief Minister mentioned the installation of cloth bag vending machines and plastic bottle crusher machines at various locations across the state and appealed to the public to use cloth bags. He said that by adopting small habits and efforts, like using cloth bags and carrying steel bottles for water, we should initiate the change ourselves. On behalf of Gujarat, the Chief Minister congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for the remarkable success of Operation Sindoor. He said that this operation firmly established the Prime Minister's 'Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism' policy globally. Additionally, on this year's World Environment Day, the Prime Minister has initiated a mission to make India free from plastic pollution with a strong commitment to 'End Plastic Pollution,' the Chief Minister added. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera extended greetings and said that the day represents a collective resolve, a commitment to conservation, and a reflection of sensitivity towards nature. He noted that the theme for World Environment Day 2025 is 'End Plastic Pollution.'Mulubhai Bera observed that the reverence for nature has been deeply ingrained in Indian tradition since ancient times. Our Vedas contain verses advocating water conservation, and we follow the philosophy of seeing divinity in nature. As cited in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, 'Among trees, I am the Peepal tree; among animals, I am the lion.' Even today, women observe Vat Savitri Vrat and worship the banyan tree, reflecting the unbreakable bond between nature and Indian culture. He said this nature-centric culture is India's unique strength. He stated that the observance of World Environment Day is a timely opportunity to introspect, renew our thinking, and adopt environment-friendly practices. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat continues to take proactive steps for environmental protection and conservation. Initiatives such as Mission LiFE, MISHTI Yojana, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam have helped increase public awareness and instilled a collective sense of environmental responsibility. The minister cautioned that the same modern conveniences that have simplified life have also led to grave environmental challenges, most notably, the menace of single-use plastic. He explained that such plastic renders soil infertile, pollutes rivers and oceans, and ultimately returns to our food chain in the form of microplastics. In response, the Forest and Environment Department has undertaken several focused initiatives to curb plastic pollution. As part of the plastic-free campaign, awareness drives are being conducted across forest areas, religious places, tourist destinations, and schools to educate people about eco-friendly alternatives. Under the leadership of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), 646 plastic processing units, 7 waste-to-energy plants, and 5 co-processing cement plants are operational across the state. Innovative solutions like reverse vending machines, cloth bag vending ATMs, and eco-friendly Prasad boxes are further reinforcing the state's commitment to environmental conservation. Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukesh Patel also extended greetings to the citizens and mentioned that Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel had formally launched the state-wide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign and tree plantation drive under the Matruvan initiative. Referring to last year's efforts under the same campaign, he highlighted that 17.50 crore trees were planted in Gujarat, making it the second-highest contributor in the country in terms of total plantations. He further raised concerns about the growing health implications of plastic pollution, pointing out that traces of microplastics are now increasingly being found in food. As part of the ongoing state-wide environmental campaign that began on May 22, more than 1.5 lakh citizens have actively participated in over 2,500 events, including beach and garden clean-up drives. These efforts have led to the collection and proper disposal of more than 6 lakh kilograms of plastic waste. Shri Mukesh Patel added that Gujarat has remained a pioneer in encouraging alternatives to single-use plastic. GPCB has approved over 225 units manufacturing compostable plastic alternatives and around 40 units producing cloth and paper bags. He urged all citizens to commit themselves and their families to eliminating plastic from daily use, adding that only such a collective pledge can lead to a truly plastic-free planet. As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, CM Bhupendra Patel visited an exhibition featuring innovative projects and startups working in the areas of plastic recycling and reuse. He interacted with the participants and encouraged them for their contributions towards sustainability. A documentary was also screened covering key topics such as Best Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Gujarat, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, and other awareness activities conducted in the lead-up to World Environment Day. In Surat, strategic MoUs were signed between the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and its member units for effluent trading, in the presence of the Chief Minister. Additionally, Shri Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated, laid foundation stones, and launched a total of 11 diverse development and environment-related projects. The programme was attended by Gandhinagar North MLA Ritaben Patel, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MK Das, GPCB Chairman RB Barad, Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary RC Meena, Municipal Administrative Commissioner Sushri Remya Mohan, Head of Forest Force AP Singh, and PCCF Wildlife Jaypal Singh. Senior officials and staff from the Forest Department and GPCB, along with representatives of environmental NGOs, also took part in the event.(ANI)
