Ahmedabad: In the wake of the recent Gambhira bridge collapse, the Gujarat government has ordered the immediate closure of 36 bridges over the Narmada canal network for urgent repairs. 5 bridges have been declared extremely unsafe and have been completely shut down, while 4 more have been restricted to light vehicles only due to structural concerns.
Following heavy rainfall and subsequent damage to roads and bridges across Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed an emergency statewide repair initiative. As part of this effort, authorities have conducted a technical inspection of all bridges spanning the vast Narmada canal system, aiming to assess their structural integrity and prevent future accidents.
Based on findings from the inspections, 36 bridges have been flagged for repairs and are now closed to the public. In the most critical cases, 5 bridges have been completely sealed off due to their dangerous condition, and 4 others are now off-limits to heavy vehicles.
The Narmada canal system in Gujarat spans approximately 69,000 kilometers and supports irrigation across 1.792 million hectares. There are over 2,100 bridges built over this network, including on national highways, state highways, and rural roads. The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL) has initiated a comprehensive visual inspection campaign to evaluate each bridge’s condition, detect vulnerabilities, and extend their service life.
According to the SSNNL, the following bridges have been deemed too hazardous for any traffic and are now closed:
- Ajitgadh-Ghantila Road Bridge over the Maliya Branch Canal in Morbi district.
- NH-151 Canal Bridge, also in Morbi, located between NH-151 and the Machhu River.
- Bridge near Dhanki-Charad villages on the Saurashtra Branch Canal in Surendranagar district.
- Bridge near Lakhatar-Vana on the Saurashtra Branch Canal, Surendranagar.
- Bridge near Bala-Bala Farm in Wadhwan Taluka on the Saurashtra Branch Canal.
Bridges Now Off-Limits to Heavy Vehicles
The following bridges remain open but have been restricted to light vehicles only:
- State highway bridge connecting Fedra-Bagodara and Bhavnagar over Vallabhipur Branch Canal, Ahmedabad district.
- Canal bridge on the state highway between Naroda (Ahmedabad) and Dahegam (Gandhinagar).
- Canal bridge between Raipur and Medra, Ahmedabad district.
- Road bridge over the Kutch Branch Canal between Sidhala and Suigam in Patan district.
Authorities have instructed regional offices to continue monitoring the remaining 2,065 bridges to ensure public safety. Given the heavy loads and environmental stress these canal bridges endure, regular inspections and timely maintenance are now considered essential for their longevity and reliability.
The state government has emphasized that bridge inspections and repairs will be an ongoing process, with future efforts focused on routine assessments to ensure safety and prevent structural failures.
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