13 die as Gujarat bridge collapses, 6 vehicles fall into Mahi river | India News

Around 7.30 am, a big slab of the 43-year-old bridge over the Mahisagar River gave approach. The bridge related Vadodara and Anand districts, serving as an important hyperlink between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra

VADODARA: At least 13 individuals, together with two kids, died Wednesday morning when six vehicles plunged 50 to 60 toes into Mahi river after a key part of a 39-year-old bridge caved in close to Mujpur village, 27km from Vadodara.The collapse reignited reminiscences of the Morbi tragedy in Oct 2022, when a Nineteenth-century suspension bridge gave approach after renovation, killing 135 and injuring 56. Investigations blamed shoddy repairs and rushed timelines.Built in 1986, the bridge close to Mujpur hyperlinks central Gujarat to Saurashtra and is closely utilized by vehicles and tankers from industrial zones in Padra and Ankleshwar. Many commuters favour it to keep away from tolls on Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway.A 15- to 20-metre section of the 830m-long bridge gave approach round 7.30am, sending three vehicles, a pick-up van, an auto-rickshaw, and a seven-seater automobile crashing into the water beneath. A big tanker truck teetered dangerously on the edge earlier than being pulled to security.Residents of close by Dabka and Mujpur villages, jolted awake by the sound of collapsing concrete and cries for assist, mounted rescue efforts for practically an hour earlier than groups from Vadodara hearth brigade and NDRF arrived.By late night, 13 our bodies had been pulled from the river. The victims have been from Vadodara, Anand, and Panchmahal districts. Five injured survivors are being handled at SSG Hospital in Vadodara.“I was on my way to Anand. The truck suddenly began shaking violently. Before I could grasp what was happening, the bridge collapsed and I plunged into the river,” mentioned driver Ganpat Solanki, who survived the fall.Vadodara district panchayat member Harshadsinh Parmar had flagged considerations in regards to the Gambhira bridge’s situation to state govt in Aug 2022, prompting inspections. Funds have been sanctioned lately, with a brand new Rs 212-crore bridge undertaking within the pipeline.President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, and CM Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences. Gujarat govt introduced Rs 4 lakh in compensation for households of the deceased, whereas Centre pledged Rs 2 lakh from PM’s National Relief Fund. The injured will obtain Rs 50,000 from each state and Centre.Wednesday’s tragedy added to rising requires obligatory structural audits, stricter bridge upkeep, and accountability for years of uncared for infrastructure.A 30-year-old iron footbridge over Indrayani river close to Kundamala in Pune collapsed on June 15, killing 4 and injuring over 50. Age, overcrowding, and ignored security warnings have been cited as causes.