Vadodara: Five days have passed since the tragic collapse of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara district, but the search continues for one missing person. The over-40-year-old bridge crumbled from the center, sending vehicles plunging into the Mahi River and claiming the lives of 20 people.
Rescue teams are still trying to locate Vikram Ramesh Padhiyar, a 22-year-old employee of a private firm from Narsinghpur village in Anand district. Despite extensive search efforts on Saturday, there has been no sign of him. Authorities continue combing both upstream and downstream areas of the river, due to the unpredictable tidal flow in the Mahisagar River near Mujpur village where the collapse occurred.
On Wednesday morning, Padhiyar had set out on a motorbike with cousin Rajesh Chavda to their workplace in Padra town. Both of them worked at an electrical components manufacturing factory, Chavda’s family had told this paper earlier. While the body of Chavda, a resident of Devapura village in Anklav taluka, was found, Padhiyar is still missing.
According to officials, the operation is proving especially hazardous because one of the fallen tankers was carrying sulphuric acid, while a truck held caustic soda. The chemical spill has created toxic conditions in the river, leading to skin irritation and rashes among rescue personnel and complicating recovery efforts.
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, are using rubber boats and specialized equipment to search for the missing person and salvage wreckage from the riverbed.
On Saturday, experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Regional Transport Office inspected the site as part of the ongoing police investigation. Authorities are also examining whether more victims might still be trapped under the massive slab that fell into the river.
The Gujarat State Government has announced financial assistance for the victims and their families. ₹4 lakh has been granted to the families of the deceased. ₹50,000 has been given to those injured in the incident. On Sunday, Member of Parliament Jashubhai Rathwa and MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala distributed compensation cheques in a public event. In total, ₹62 lakh in aid has been disbursed so far, covering 15 deceased victims’ families and four injured individuals.
Authorities continue to appeal for patience and cooperation from the public as the rescue and recovery operations proceed under extremely difficult conditions.
Also Read: Gujarat Approves ₹212 Cr For New High-Level Bridge Over Mahi River After Gambhira Bridge Collapse