Which bridges in Gujarat are dangerous? No proper count, repairs underway on 28 old ones

The collapse of Gambhira bridge over Mahi River near Vadodara, has revived public concern about old, dilapidated, and dangerous river bridges across Gujarat. 

Information provided by the Ministry of National Highways and Road Transport in the Rajya Sabha states that repairs or reconstruction on 28 old bridges are currently underway in the state. However, the government and its agencies remain silent on the actual number of dangerous bridges.

What is even more concerning is that the Rudramata bridge near the Kutch border, built just seven months ago, has frequently developed cracks, requiring repairs. Many new bridges are in a similar condition.

In districts including Vadodara and Surat, there have been an increasing number of complaints about old, dilapidated, and dangerous bridges. After the bridge collapse in Vadodara that led to the death of at least 15 citizens, the government has again retreated into silence while resorting to damage control.

When it comes to providing information on how many river bridges exist in Gujarat, and how many are old and in poor condition, the government and officials remain tight-lipped. However, not long ago in the Legislative Assembly, there was a proposal to install crash barriers on 895 state highway bridges and 989 panchayat area road bridges to prevent accidents.

In Valsad district’s Dharampur, 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 10 days after its condition deteriorated. Despite repeated requests for repairs over six years, negligence has led to a dangerous situation, forcing the closure to heavy traffic.

The bridge over the Tapi River on National Highway-48 in Kamrej, Surat, has been damaged for the past two years. 

Vehicles cross the bridge with the support of iron plates. 

This highway remains busy with heavy traffic 24X7, but the joints between two pillars of the bridge keep breaking. Temporary repairs with iron plates have been carried out, but during the monsoon, these plates often slip or get dislodged, forcing drivers to cross with constant fear.