A section of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed at about 7:30 AM on July 9 2025, sending two trucks, a van, and an auto-rickshaw into the Mahisagar River and leaving at least nine people dead. The 900-metre bridge, built in 1985, links Vadodara and Anand districts—an essential connector for central Gujarat and Saurashtra.
Heavy monsoon rainfall is believed to have weakened the structure. Local residents say repeated complaints about cracks and corrosion were ignored despite periodic repairs. The disaster has reignited debate over India’s aging infrastructure, with opposition leaders demanding statewide bridge audits in the wake of the 2022 Morbi collapse that killed 141.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a technical investigation and dispatched National Disaster Response Force teams for rescue operations. Social-media users have expressed outrage, urging stricter maintenance and accountability.
SouthAsianDesk.com will provide ongoing coverage of rescue efforts and the official inquiry into the Gujarat bridge collapse.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 9th, 2025
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