For the fourth consecutive day, search-and-rescue operations resumed at the Mahisagar bridge collapse site on Saturday (July 12, 2025), as teams continued their efforts to locate one missing person. The death toll rose to 20 by Friday (July 11, 2025) evening.
Officials stated that, in addition to searching for the missing individual, they would also work on removing the collapsed bridge’s main slab and submerged vehicles from the river.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, along with residents, are involved in the operation.
Earlier, District Collector Anil Dhameliya stated that the next phase of operations on Saturday (July 12, 2025) would involve a technical team to remove the collapsed bridge’s main slab and recover the missing person’s body. He added that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board would also be engaged to safely retrieve the submerged tanker carrying sulphuric acid from the river.
“A tanker, which plunged into the river during the collapse, was transporting sulphuric acid, and precautions are being taken to prevent any leakage. The soda ash has also been causing skin irritation and itching among rescue workers,” told The Hindu.
Several vehicles fell into the river after a portion of the four-decade-old bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara districts collapsed near Gambhira village, close to Padra town, on the morning of July 9.
The Gambhira Bridge, spanning the Mahisagar River, serves as a vital link between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. Its construction commenced in 1981, and it was officially opened to the public in 1985. However, due to concerns over its deteriorating condition, the Congress party called for a ban on heavy vehicles using the bridge in 2017. It is an 830-metre-long bridge with 23 spans.
Additionally, many commuters and especially heavy vehicles prefer this route to bypass tolls on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway, while also cutting travel distance by 30–35 kilometres to save fuel. With the bridge now closed, the only way to reach Saurashtra from South Gujarat will be Vasad — 50 kilometres extra.
State Minister Rushikesh Patel cited structural failure — specifically the crushing of pedestals and articulation joints — as the primary cause for collapse.
During his visit to the accident site, Mr. Patel said that the high-level probe was ordered by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and is being conducted by the Roads and Buildings Department. “As per the committee’s initial findings, the collapse occurred due to pedestal and articulation crushing,” he said.
The Minister further informed that the committee will submit a comprehensive report within 30 days, covering both technical and administrative aspects of the tragedy. “The report will be handed over to the Chief Minister, based on which further decisions will be taken,” Mr. Patel said.
In response to initial findings of negligence, the state government has already suspended four officials from the R&B Department on Thursday (July 10, 2025). “Wherever lapses have come to light, action has been taken. The government will not hesitate to take further necessary measures,” he added.
Residents of Bamangam and nearby villages have long urged authorities to construct a new bridge rather than repeatedly repairing the old one, according to government officials. In November 2024, the state government approved a proposal for a new bridge at an estimated cost of over ₹200 crore.
The issue gained traction after Vadodara district panchayat member Harshadsinh Parmar raised concerns about the Gambhira bridge’s deteriorating condition in 2022, leading to inspections. Following suggestions from BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the Gujarat government had earlier greenlit plans for a new bridge, including a preliminary survey. However, instead of shutting down the existing structure, minor repairs were conducted, and the bridge remained open to traffic, locals said.
Published – July 12, 2025 10:52 am IST
