Gujarat Bridge Collapse Puts India's Aging Infrastructure Under Harsh Spotlight

India's crumbling public infrastructure claimed more lives on Wednesday, as a 43-year-old bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed, killing at least 13 people, including children. This latest tragedy adds to a disturbing pattern of bridge failures reported across the country in 2025, raising serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of decades-old structures.

The incident occurred when a large slab of the bridge suddenly gave way. Two trucks, two pickup vans, and an auto-rickshaw were among the vehicles that fell into the river. Nine people were rescued from the waters, some with serious injuries, while rescue teams recovered several bodies trapped in the wreckage.

Authorities confirmed that the Gambhira bridge, constructed in 1985, served as a crucial route connecting central Gujarat to the Saurashtra region. It was a key lifeline for transport, trade, and daily commuters in the area.

A Pattern of Collapse

The Vadodara incident is not isolated. It marks the third major bridge-related accident reported in India in 2025 alone. In June, an iron pedestrian bridge at Kundamala near Pune collapsed due to overcrowding by tourists. That mishap claimed four lives and left over three dozen injured. The river below was swollen from monsoon rains, making rescue operations extremely difficult.

Back in March, another alarming incident occurred in Ahmedabad when a massive gantry — used in the ongoing bullet train project — slipped during retraction near Vatva. Although no injuries were reported, the structure fell dangerously close to active railway tracks, leading to disruptions and widespread concern.

Are India’s Bridges Failing?

Across India, many public structures, especially bridges, were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. Experts have long warned that these aging structures are no longer fit for the demands of modern traffic volumes or weather patterns.

While occasional patchwork repairs may keep them operational, they are often far from safe. Delays in upgrades, lack of proper inspections, and poor maintenance planning have left thousands of such structures vulnerable to sudden collapse, putting lives at risk every day.

Following the Vadodara collapse, the Roads and Bridges Department has ordered a full investigation. Meanwhile, the bullet train gantry incident in Ahmedabad continues to be reviewed by the NHSRCL.

How Many More?

The tragedy in Vadodara is more than just an accident, it’s a symptom of a deeper problem. In a year already marked by such incidents, the latest collapse should act as a loud and urgent wake-up call.

In a country racing to build world-class infrastructure, the inability to secure and modernise the old continues to take a deadly toll. The Gambhira bridge didn’t just fall, it was allowed to fall.

Also Read: Ignored Warnings, Shoddy Repairs—Did Negligence Kill 10 in Gujarat?