Gujarat Bridge Collapse: Fault of Nature or BJP’s Failed Model? TMC & Congress Reacts

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], July 09: At least 10 people lost their lives after a portion of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara’s Padra area collapsed on Wednesday morning. The bridge was built over the Mahisagar River. It gave way suddenly. Five vehicles plunged into the waters below. It included two trucks and an SUV. Search and rescue teams rushed to the spot to help people. Officials warned that the number of casualties may rise. The 40-year-old structure was reportedly under repair. Yet residents had been warning that it had started shaking. Their concerns, sadly, were left unheard.

Congress Points to Corruption

The Congress party slammed the Gujarat government after the collapse, calling it a result of deep-rooted corruption. Supriya Shrinate, a senior leader, said the so-called Gujarat Model is “hollow” and another name for misuse of public funds. She added that contractors pay commissions before they get work orders, leading to poor-quality repair jobs. Congress also stated that locals had raised concerns about the bridge’s condition, but those warnings were ignored. Just weeks ago, funds were reportedly used to repair the same bridge, yet its failure shows how carelessly the repairs were handled.

TMC and Shiv Sena React Strongly

The Trinamool Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi by asking, “Is this an Act of God or Act of Fraud?” They compared the recent Padra collapse with the tragic Morbi bridge incident, which happened just two years ago. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also joined the criticism. She said people of Gujarat should raise their voice against such poor quality work. Both parties demanded action against those responsible. The TMC also attacked the Prime Minister for travelling abroad while such incidents are happening in his home state.

Questions About Accountability

The opposition parties are demanding answers not only from the government but also from the contractors responsible. They say this isn’t the first time that roads, bridges, or rail systems have failed in Gujarat. Mahua Moitra of TMC said BJP-run state governments are more focused on unrelated matters, while ignoring core infrastructure problems. She asked why there is no punishment for such dangerous failures. Many are now asking if those who gave safety clearances or passed budgets will be investigated or allowed to walk free.

PM Offers Condolences and Aid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening.” He expressed grief for the families who lost loved ones. He announced ₹2 lakh compensation. The compensation will be given from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. It will be for the families of the dead. ₹50,000 is the decided ammount for those injured. However, political leaders and citizens alike are demanding that the government go beyond compensation. And they should fix the real problems. With the bridge collapse sparking nationwide concern, many believe it’s time for strict checks and accountability before more lives are lost to such disasters.