Junagadh: Even before the shock of the Gambhira Bridge collapse in Vadodara district that claimed 21 lives could subside, another bridge incident has rocked Gujarat. A bridge undergoing demolition in Ajak village of Mangrol taluka in Junagadh district suddenly collapsed on Tuesday, throwing over eight people and a Hitachi machine into the river below from a height of approximately 15 feet. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and all individuals involved were rescued unharmed.
The incident occurred during repair and demolition work on the Atroli-Keshod connecting bridge. Eyewitnesses said a loud crash was heard as the slab suddenly gave way beneath the heavy equipment. “It was a miracle. The Hitachi machine fell along with the workers, and we feared the worst. But everyone climbed out safely,” said a local villager present during the incident.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A video of the collapse quickly spread across social media, capturing the dramatic moment the slab caved in and chaos ensued. Villagers can be seen rushing to help as debris and the JCB machine lay submerged. The clip triggered a wave of criticism toward the authorities for failing to ensure safety at demolition sites.
“Why are workers and villagers allowed to stand on a bridge that is clearly under demolition?” asked another resident angrily. “There was no proper barricading or safety arrangements. It’s sheer luck that no one died today.”
District Officials Clarify: Not a Collapse, a Demolition Accident
Junagadh District Collector Anil Ranavasia attempted to dispel fears by stating the bridge had not 'collapsed' but was being deliberately demolished. “This bridge was closed for vehicular movement for two days. Our engineers had determined it needed to be dismantled and rebuilt. Unfortunately, the slab broke unexpectedly during the process,” he said.
He further emphasized that warning signs were placed on both sides of the bridge, and the site had been cordoned off. However, villagers reportedly ignored these warnings and gathered near the bridge, which contributed to the close call.
RNB Department Confirms Bridge Was Dilapidated
Abhishek Gohil, Executive Engineer of the Junagadh District Road and Building (R&B) Department Panchayat, said, “After inspection, it was found the bridge was structurally weak. We had begun slab removal using a breaker machine. During this, a large portion of the slab unexpectedly gave way. Thankfully, no one was injured.”
The 10-meter-long bridge consists of two 5-meter spans and was one of the 480 bridges under inspection in Junagadh since the Gambhira tragedy. As part of a state-wide audit, six bridges in the district have already been closed due to safety concerns.
This latest incident comes just six days after the horrific Gambhira Bridge collapse on July 9 between Mujpur and Anklav in Vadodara district. That incident killed 21 people and left one person missing. Built in 1986, the bridge had long been flagged by locals as dangerous, but no significant repair work was undertaken despite repeated appeals to authorities.
With two major bridge incidents within a week, questions are mounting about the state of infrastructure across Gujarat. Citizens and opposition leaders alike are demanding urgent action, not just inspections but swift repairs, transparency, and accountability.
