Vadodara bridge collapse: at least nine dead; PM Modi announces ex-gratia relief

At least nine people have died and five others were injured after a bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed early this morning, Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The 43-year-old Gambhira bridge, which spanned the Mahisagar River near Mujpur village in Padra taluka, collapsed around 7:30 a.m. The bridge was a crucial link between the Vadodara and Anand districts and served as an important route connecting Central Gujarat to Saurashtra.

According to officials, multiple vehicles- including two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw -were crossing the bridge when a large slab between two piers gave way, plunging the vehicles into the river below.

Teams from the Vadodara Fire Department, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities launched immediate rescue and recovery operations using cranes, divers, and heavy machinery to locate missing persons and retrieve damaged vehicles.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. “Technical experts have been instructed to visit the site and conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the collapse,” the Chief Minister said.

Officials stated that routine maintenance work was carried out as needed. However, the sudden collapse of the four-decade-old structure has raised questions over structural safety and maintenance standards.

The 900-metre-long bridge, supported by 23 piers, was an essential route for daily commuters and transportation of goods. Its collapse has severely disrupted connectivity between Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, and parts of Saurashtra, leading to traffic diversions and inconvenience for commuters.

Rescue and recovery efforts are continuing as authorities work to locate any remaining missing persons and restore traffic movement in the area.