A swiftly constructed brick barrier, supposed to dam entry to the collapsed bridge, has now left official tools caught on the unsuitable facet—and in want of a rescue plan themselves.
On Sunday, district officers constructed a three-foot brick wall on the Padra method of the broken bridge. The concept was easy: cease unsuspecting motorists—particularly these blindly following GPS instructions—from driving onto the damaged span at evening. Their considerations weren't with out foundation.
In recent times, a number of tragic incidents have occurred throughout India the place drivers, unaware of closures, plunged off collapsed or incomplete bridges.
However of their rush to complete the barrier, employees forgot to maneuver two rescue automobiles and a mast mild that have been nonetheless parked previous the development line. Locals reportedly tried to warn officers earlier than the wall was sealed off, however by then it was too late.
“The administration managed to lure its personal rescue convoy,” one villager remarked to TOI. “That is precisely how our programs operate—even after such a catastrophe.”
Now, the authorities should partially demolish the brand new wall, retrieve the stranded automobiles, and construct the barrier over again. An identical blockade is deliberate for the other method to stop additional mishaps.
Tragedy and a swift response
The bridge, constructed 4 a long time in the past close to Gambhira village to attach Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed on July 9, sending a number of automobiles into the Mahisagar river.
The demise toll climbed to twenty throughout the subsequent few days.
Recognising the pressing want to revive connectivity, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel accepted the development of a parallel two-lane bridge. The challenge, estimated at Rs 212 crore, goals to exchange the crucial hyperlink between central Gujarat and Saurashtra inside 18 months.
Plans for a brand new bridge
Based on state officers, the brand new bridge will come up close to Mujpur and embody important upgrades:
- The present two-lane method might be widened to 4 lanes with a seven-metre roadway.
- A 4.2-km stretch of highway connecting the freeway to the bridge can even be expanded.
- Tendering and groundwork have already been set in movement.
Superintending Engineer N.V. Rathva of the Roads and Buildings Division confirmed that administrative clearance has been granted and detailed challenge studies are prepared.
Within the meantime, authorities are grappling with the aftermath of the collapse—and the unintended comedy of trapping their very own rescue groups behind a wall meant to maintain everybody out.
