Vadodara bridge collapse traffic diversions: What drivers en route Gambhira bridge, Vasad need to know about police instructions

A portion of the four-decade-old Gambhira bridge in Gujarat's Vadodara district collapsed on Wednesday morning, sending several vehicles plummeting into the Mahisagar river, officials reported. It is reported that a slab of the bridge gave way, causing the vehicles to fall and killing at least nine people.

The bridge collapse, which occurred around 7:30 AM, involved two trucks and two vans. Other reports claimed that smaller vehicles including a two-wheeler was also involved in the incident. 

Authorities confirmed that five individuals have been rescued from the accident site. However, Gujarati media reports suggest the death toll may increase as more vehicles are believed to have fallen into the water.

 The immediate priority remains locating and rescuing commuters from the submerged vehicles. Teams from the Vadodara fire department and locals joined the rescue operation which was still on, an official said. A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also reached the site. The 900-meter-long Gambhira bridge, inaugurated in 1985, features 23 piers and connects the Vadodara and Anand districts of Gujarat.

The injured have been transported to the SSG Hospital in Vadodara for treatment.

In the wake of the incident, traffic diversions have been implemented. Small vehicles travelling from villages in Borsad taluka towards Vadodara are now directed to exit via Umeta instead of using the Gambhira Bridge. 

Heavy vehicles, on the other hand, have been advised to use the Vasad route. Similarly, heavy vehicles en route from Tarapur to Vadodara have been directly diverted via Vasad towards Vadodara. Authorities have warned that any violation of these orders will result in punishment under Section 131 of the Gujarat Police Act-1951.