The recent collapse of the Gambhira bridge over the Mahi River near Vadodara, which claimed at least 15 lives, has reignited public concern over the condition of old, dilapidated, and unsafe river bridges across Gujarat.
According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, repair or reconstruction work is currently underway on 28 ageing bridges in the state. However, there has been no official clarity on the total number of structurally unsafe bridges, with government agencies remaining largely silent on the matter.
New Bridges Also Under Scrutiny
Worryingly, it’s not just older bridges that pose a threat. The Rudramata bridge near the Kutch border, constructed just seven months ago, has already developed frequent cracks requiring repairs. Reports suggest that several newly built bridges are also showing signs of structural issues, raising serious questions about construction quality and oversight.
Rising Complaints and Lack of Transparency
Districts like Vadodara and Surat have seen a steady rise in complaints related to unsafe and crumbling bridges. Yet, following the Gambhira bridge tragedy, the government has chosen to remain tight-lipped, focusing instead on damage control, while offering no transparency regarding the current state of bridge infrastructure.
While the exact number of river bridges in Gujarat remains undisclosed, a previous discussion in the Legislative Assembly revealed a proposal to install crash barriers on 895 state highway bridges and 989 panchayat road bridges to improve safety.
Bridge Closures and Makeshift Fixes
In Dharampur, Valsad district, a 50-year-old bridge over the Man River near Karanjveri village on the Vapi–Shamlaji National Highway has been closed to heavy vehicles for the past 10 days due to its deteriorating condition. Despite six years of repeated requests for repair, no action was taken, and the delay has now forced officials to restrict usage.
Similarly, the Tapi River bridge on NH-48 in Kamrej, Surat, has remained damaged for over two years. In the absence of permanent repair, iron plates have been used to hold the structure together, but these makeshift solutions pose serious risks. The plates often slip or shift during the monsoon, leaving drivers to cross the heavily trafficked bridge with extreme caution and fear.