Wall of Shame: Gujarat officials trap rescue vehicles behind their own wall after Vadodara bridge collapses

In an irony that perfectly sums up the chaos following the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara district, authorities trying to keep people safe ended up trapping their own rescue vehicles.

A hastily built brick barrier, intended to block access to the collapsed bridge, has now left official equipment stuck on the wrong side—and in need of a rescue plan themselves.

On Sunday, district officials constructed a three-foot brick wall at the Padra approach of the damaged bridge. The idea was simple: stop unsuspecting motorists—especially those blindly following GPS directions—from driving onto the broken span at night.


Their concerns were not without basis.

In recent years, several tragic incidents have occurred across India where drivers, unaware of closures, plunged off collapsed or incomplete bridges.

But in their rush to finish the barrier, workers forgot to move two rescue vehicles and a mast light that were still parked past the construction line. Locals reportedly tried to warn officials before the wall was sealed off, but by then it was too late.

“The administration managed to trap its own rescue convoy,” one villager remarked to TOI. “This is exactly how our systems function—even after such a disaster.”

Now, the authorities will have to partially demolish the new wall, retrieve the stranded vehicles, and build the barrier all over again. A similar blockade is planned for the opposite approach to prevent further mishaps.

Tragedy and a swift response

The bridge, built four decades ago near Gambhira village to connect Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed on July 9, sending multiple vehicles into the Mahisagar river.

The death toll climbed to 20 within the next few days.

Recognising the urgent need to restore connectivity, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel approved the construction of a parallel two-lane bridge. The project, estimated at Rs 212 crore, aims to replace the critical link between central Gujarat and Saurashtra within 18 months.

Plans for a new bridge

According to state officials, the new bridge will come up near Mujpur and include significant upgrades:

• The current two-lane approach will be widened to four lanes with a seven-metre roadway.
  
• A 4.2-km stretch of road connecting the highway to the bridge will also be expanded.
  
• Tendering and groundwork have already been set in motion.
  
  

Superintending Engineer N.V. Rathva of the Roads and Buildings Department confirmed that administrative clearance has been granted and detailed project reports are ready.

In the meantime, authorities are grappling with the aftermath of the collapse—and the unintended comedy of trapping their own rescue teams behind a wall meant to keep everyone out.