Gujarat Bans Heavy Vehicles On 5 Valsad Bridges Amid Safety Checks After Vadodara Bridge Collapse

Valsad: Following the recent collapse of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara which has claimed at least 20 lives, the Gujarat government has finally stepped up its safety efforts, initiating a crackdown on aging infrastructure across the state. In a precautionary move, authorities have imposed a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles across five major bridges located on National Highway 56 in the Valsad district.

This decision comes as part of an urgent response aimed at preventing another tragedy. Structural audits of the bridges are already underway, and technical teams have been deployed to assess their condition. The district administration, led by Collector Vaibhav Verma, has taken this step after consulting with officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Their joint review raised enough concern to justify immediate restrictions on heavy traffic.

Valsad district has a total of 235 bridges, of which 162 are classified as major. The current measures are focused on those considered most at risk. Among the bridges closed to heavy vehicles are the Valsad-Lilapor bridge, the bridge over Degam Khadi near Vapi, and those over the Kokal, Karanjveri, and Tan rivers. These closures are temporary but necessary, aimed at allowing time for thorough inspections and any urgent repair work.

In addition, the Vadkhamba bridge over the Par River near Nanaponda has been shut down entirely until its stability can be confirmed. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes until further notice. Authorities have assured the public that once safety checks are complete and repairs, if needed, are carried out, normal traffic will resume.

This response reflects a broader realization within the administration about the state’s aging infrastructure and the risks it poses. The tragedy in Vadodara has served as a wake-up call, prompting immediate corrective action before further incidents occur.

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