[Watch] Bridge That Collapsed In Vadodra Was 40-Year-Old, Had Cracks: Claim Locals

Vadodara: The bridge that collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, was built four decades ago in 1985. Known as the Gambhira Bridge, it had been serving as a key link between Vadodara and Anand, carrying thousands of vehicles daily — despite its ageing structure and what locals now describe as a “worsening condition” in recent years.

The collapse occurred at around 7:30 am, during peak traffic hours, when a significant portion of the bridge gave way, sending multiple vehicles — including trucks, a Bolero SUV, a pickup van, and a tanker or auto-rickshaw — crashing into the Mahisagar River. Emergency crews later confirmed nine deaths and six injuries, with rescue operations lasting several hours.

Engineers have now begun investigating whether the bridge’s age and structural fatigue were major contributing factors. Built in 1985, the bridge was close to 40 years old, and local villagers say its condition had visibly deteriorated in recent years. Several had raised concerns about cracks and vibrations, but no major repairs appear to have been undertaken.

Officials from the Roads and Buildings Department say that “periodic maintenance” was conducted, but experts suggest that bridges over 30 years old require far more rigorous safety audits.

This tragedy comes amid a broader national concern about India’s ageing infrastructure. Government data shows over 2,100 bridge collapses occurred between 1977 and 2017, many due to decay, overloading, or lack of timely repair.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a full technical investigation, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for each of the deceased’s families and ₹50,000 for the injured, under the PMNRF.

As traffic continues to be rerouted and rescue efforts wrap up, the spotlight is now on the question many locals are asking: Why was a 40-year-old bridge, with evident signs of distress, still being used without a major overhaul?