Survey Finds 166 Dilapidated Bridges in Gujarat After Gambhira Tragedy

Vadodara | Gujarat — The Gambhira bridge collapse near Vadodara that claimed 22 lives has forced the Gujarat government to confront a grim reality—166 bridges across the state are in dangerous condition, with several major structures posing a serious threat to commuters.

In an urgent survey ordered by the state, the Roads and Buildings Department inspected 1,054 major bridges and 5,475 minor bridges across key districts including Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Kutch, Mehsana, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar. The findings were alarming: 74 major bridges, 51 minor bridges, and 41 other structures were declared structurally unsafe.

Vehicle movement has already been halted on more than 160 of these bridges to avoid another disaster.

Government Claims Swift Action

Officials insist corrective measures are already underway. “The government has sanctioned repair and reconstruction work for 150 bridges. Safety of citizens is our top priority, and no compromise will be made,” said a senior Roads and Buildings Department officer.

The department added that monitoring teams will continue inspections to prevent further tragedies, and contractors responsible for maintenance lapses may face action.

Opposition Slams Negligence

The opposition, however, has strongly criticised the government for failing to act on repeated complaints from locals long before the Gambhira tragedy.

“Had regular inspections been carried out, and had authorities responded to written warnings from villagers, 22 lives could have been saved. This is not just an administrative failure—it is criminal negligence,” said an opposition spokesperson in Vadodara.

Locals, too, expressed frustration. “We have been writing letters for years about cracks and vibrations on bridges. Nobody listened until lives were lost,” said a resident of Mahisagar district.

Public Confidence Shaken

The revelations have left daily commuters anxious about the safety of infrastructure they rely on. Experts warn that larger bridges, if neglected, could trigger disasters on a scale far worse than Gambhira.

Civil engineers argue for a robust independent audit system instead of relying solely on government surveys. “The system is reactive, not preventive. Unless Gujarat invests in proactive maintenance, tragedies will repeat,” said a structural safety expert.