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The 45-year-old Gambhira bridge built on the Mahisagar river connecting Vadodara’s Padra and Anand districts collapsed this morning, causing a stir. In this incident, four vehicles including two trucks, a Bolero jeep and a jeep passing over the bridge fell into the Mahi river flowing on both sides. So far 13 people have been reported dead. While many people have also been rescued. It is said that this accident happened due to administrative negligence and when this incident happened, a crowd of people from Mujpur and nearby villages gathered at the spot. People helped in saving the people drowning in the river.
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40-year-old bridge, had become dilapidated
N M Naikawala, Executive Engineer has told that the age of this bridge was 100 years, it was rebuilt in 85 – 86, according to him it was repaired last year and its patching was done in the current year as well. When the accident happened on Gambhira bridge, many vehicles were coming and going on the bridge and the bridge split into two parts. About 5 vehicles fell into it due to the collapse of the bridge. Approval was also given to build a new bridge at a cost of Rs 212 crore. This bridge was built 40 years ago on the Mahi river passing near Mujpur village of Padra taluka connecting Anand district. Which is known as Padra-Gambhira bridge. This bridge had become dilapidated over the past several years. Local residents say that the bridge used to shake dangerously when vehicles passed over it.
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Currently, police and disaster response teams are carrying out relief operations. Of the 10 people confirmed dead so far, six have been identified – Vaidik Padiyar (45), Naitik Padiyar (45), Hasmukh Parmar (32), Ramesh Padiyar (32), Vakhasingh Jadhav (26) and Pravin Jadhav (26).
A living example of administrative apathy
The collapse of the Gambhira bridge is another example of administrative apathy that has cost lives. The bridge was built in 1985, 40 years ago, and was operational despite being in a dilapidated state. It seems like a major disaster was waiting to happen. Following a recommendation by local BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Jala, the state government approved the construction of a new bridge. A survey was also conducted and work on the plan to build a new bridge began. Meanwhile, the Gambhira bridge was repaired and kept open for traffic. After today’s tragedy, the question arises as to why the government did not close the dilapidated bridge. If it had done so, there would not have been deaths of citizens today.
