The collapse of the nearly 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Vadodara triggered alarm and grief. By July 11, the death toll had surged to 17, with at least three others still unaccounted for.

During the busy time on the morning of 9 July, a part of the concrete bridge suddenly collapsed, causing several vehicles, including two trucks, a van and a SUV, fell into the river. Rescue teams of local fire brigade, NDRF and SDRF recovered 17 bodies and continued overnight in search of missing people.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel immediately responded and suspended four engineers of the road and building departments, admitting that there was serious negligence in maintenance and inspection. Meanwhile, the Padra police have registered a case of accidental death and started a comprehensive investigation into the history of structural security and maintenance of the bridge.

The tragedy intensified after reports revealed that formal warnings and technical assessments dating back to 2021 had labelled the bridge “unfit for use.” These were allegedly ignored by officials. Public outrage has surged, sparking calls for accountability and urgent reforms in infrastructure oversight.

The collapse is a grim reminder of the consequences of neglecting safety. As rescue work wraps and families mourn, the focus shifts to ensuring no similar collapse occurs elsewhere. The government has promised thorough inspections of all bridges in the state and disciplinary action against those responsible.

Looking forward, systemic change is essential: from norm inspections and transparent reporting to proactive responses when warnings arise. Only then can confidence in public infrastructure be rebuilt before the next structure fails.