Death Toll Rises to 22 in Gujarat Bridge Collapse as Injured Worker Succumbs

Quick Summary

• A portion of a 40-year-old bridge over the Mahisagar river in Vadodara,Gujarat,collapsed on July 9,2025.
• The official death toll has risen to 22 following the death of Dilip Padhiyar (34), who succumbed to injuries and a subsequent fatal infection at SSG Hospital in Vadodara on August 5, 2025.
• One person involved in the accident, Vikram Padhiyar, remains untraceable; all other injured individuals have recovered and been discharged from medical care.
• Dilip had been returning home from a night shift at a factory when his vehicle fell into the river as part of the bridge collapsed near Gambhira village.
• Locals rescued five people from the water during initial recovery efforts. Many others could not be saved due to structural failure and limited emergency access.
• The bridge connected Anand and Vadodara districts. Four state engineers have been suspended for alleged negligence post-tragedy.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The collapse of this four-decade-old bridge highlights systemic concerns regarding infrastructure maintenance across India. Investigation into its structural failure suggests negligence by authorities tasked with ensuring safety standards. However, accountability appears limited so far with only suspensions announced for four engineers.

This tragedy underscores an urgent need for evaluating aging public assets nationwide-especially bridges-as they pose significant risks without routine monitoring or timely repairs. Prioritizing preventive maintenance over reactive actions can definitely help avoid similar disasters in future while saving lives and resources.

As efforts continue to trace unaccounted victims like Vikram Padhiyar, policymakers may face increased pressure for reform aimed at securing public safety through stricter compliance measures within state departments managing critical infrastructure.

Read More: The Hindu