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Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
11 Killed in Gujarat Bridge Collapse
Vadodara: At least eleven people have died, and nine others have been rescued so far as five vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river in Gujarat's Vadodara district, after a major chunk of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Vadodara and Anand collapsed, authorities said. Five vehicles -- two trucks, two vans and an autorickshaw -- fell into the river after the bridge collapsed, Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the victims and their families and Rs 50,000 to the injured. Additionally, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured. Wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured, Modi mourned the loss of lives and said, "The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones." In a video from the site, a truck can be seen hanging precariously, delicately positioned in the middle of the broken bridge. The visual also showed the entire slab of the bridge between two piers having collapsed. After eight hours, the tanker was still stuck on the broken portion of the bridge. The driver inside the tanker managed to escape safely. However, the driver has been missing from the scene since the incident. Additionally, efforts are underway to retrieve a truck that fell into the Mahisagar river after the bridge collapse. A crane and three JCB machines are being used, but the truck remains unmoved. Considering the volume of traffic on the bridge, the Chief Minister had approved a new bridge worth Rs 212 crore three months back. Design and tendering work for the new bridge had already begun. Following the incident, the Chief Minister immediately dispatched the Chief Engineer, bridge design team, and experts to the site and ordered a detailed report. 'The Road Construction Department has been instructed to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. For this, a team comprising the Chief Engineer – Design, Chief Engineer – South Gujarat, and two private engineers with expertise in bridge construction has been directed to reach the site immediately, carry out a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collapse and other technical matters, and submit a report,' Chief Minister Patel wrote on X. Construction of the Gambhira Bridge began in 1981, and it was opened for public use in 1985. In 2017, the Congress party had demanded that the bridge be closed to heavy vehicles due to its deteriorating condition.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Bridge collapses in Gujarat, 9 dead as vehicles plunge, truck hangs by a thread
At least nine people died, and several others were rescued after five vehicles fell into a river in Gujarat's Vadodara district, following the collapse of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Vadodara and Anand, authorities told India Today government spokesperson and minister Rishikesh Patel said that preliminary information indicated at least five vehicles had fallen into the river after the bridge the video, a truck can be seen hanging by a thread as it stands delicately in the middle of the broken bridge. Considering the volume of traffic on the bridge, the Chief Minister had approved a new bridge worth Rs 212 crore three months back. Design and tendering work for the new bridge had already the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel immediately dispatched the Chief Engineer, bridge design team, and experts to the site and ordered a detailed Road Construction Department has been instructed to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. For this, a team comprising the Chief Engineer – Design, Chief Engineer – South Gujarat, and two private engineers with expertise in bridge construction has been directed to reach the site immediately, carry out a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collapse and other technical matters, and submit a report," Chief Minister Patel wrote on of the Gambhira Bridge began in 1981, and it was opened for public use in 1985. In 2017, the Congress party had demanded that the bridge be closed to heavy vehicles due to its deteriorating the incident "deeply saddening," Chief Minister Patel said that one of the 23 spans of the bridge had collapsed."Instructions have been given after speaking with the Vadodara Collector to arrange immediate medical treatment for the injured and to prioritise necessary arrangements," Chief Minister Patel wrote on X.- Ends
India.com
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Gujarat CM Orders Urgent Road Repairs Amid Monsoon Damage
Gandhinagar: With heavy monsoon rains lashing Gujarat and damaging roads across the state, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed authorities to carry out repair and restoration work on a war footing. In a high-level meeting held in Gandhinagar with senior officials from relevant departments, Patel emphasised that road repair work must begin immediately, without waiting for the rains to stop. Reviewing the condition of rural, urban, and highway roads - including National Highways, State Highways, and Panchayat-owned roads - the Chief Minister called the road network the 'backbone of development' and stressed its vital role in daily civilian life. 'Not a single dry day should go wasted. Even holidays must be utilised to speed up the work,' Patel said, adding that contractors must be held accountable for poor work, especially if the damage has occurred within the defect liability period. He underlined that quality should not be compromised under any circumstances. The meeting was attended by municipal commissioners via video conference. The Chief Minister instructed civic bodies to carry out emergency repairs in areas facing problems like road damage, waterlogging, and underpass flooding. He also urged long-term planning to prevent the recurrence of such issues. Patel called for seamless coordination between various agencies, including the NHAI, Road Construction Department, Panchayats, and Municipal Corporations. He directed field engineers - superintendents, executives, and deputy engineers - to visit affected sites immediately and initiate on-the-spot repairs. According to a presentation by the Road Construction Department, major repair and structural work are currently underway on around 243 bridges across the state. Diversions are being managed and continuously monitored to ensure traffic flow. NHAI officials briefed the Chief Minister that of the 83 km of National Highway damaged during this monsoon season, repair work has been completed on 58 km. The remaining 25 km is expected to be restored soon. Patel reiterated the government's commitment to restoring public infrastructure swiftly and maintaining high standards. 'People's lives should not be disrupted due to delays in road repair. Departments must act with urgency and responsibility,' he said.
