In the immediate aftermath of the tragic Gambhira River Bridge collapse on July 9, which resulted in 21 fatalities, the Gujarat government has launched an unprecedented statewide inspection and safety overhaul of its bridge infrastructure. The initiative underscores a heightened commitment to public safety and structural integrity across the state.
During a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Road and Building Department presented a comprehensive status report on the ongoing bridge assessments. Government spokesperson and minister Rishikesh Patel confirmed that engineers from the department, alongside expert consultants and regional officers, have rigorously inspected over 1,800 bridges across Gujarat within a single week.
As a critical precautionary measure, 133 bridges identified as structurally questionable have been immediately closed. Of these, 20 bridges are now entirely inaccessible to all types of vehicles, while 113 bridges have been restricted solely to heavy vehicles, with light vehicles still permitted. All 133 closed bridges are currently undergoing thorough Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). Repair, strengthening, or reconstruction work is being initiated on a war footing wherever deemed necessary, based on these detailed assessments.
Concurrently, the state government has mandated a comprehensive technical inspection of bridges spanning the extensive Narmada canal network. A report from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) highlights Gujarat’s vast 69,000-kilometre-long canal system, which supports 17.92 lakh hectares of irrigation and is intersected by approximately 2,110 bridges connecting national highways, state roads, and rural routes.
As part of this critical safety audit, SSNNL conducted a statewide visual inspection of all bridges over the canal system to evaluate their current conditions, identify potential damage, and extend their operational lifespan. Following these initial inspections, five canal bridges deemed hazardous for traffic have been completely shut down, and an additional four bridges have been restricted for heavy vehicles based on load-bearing assessments. Furthermore, 36 bridges requiring immediate repairs have been ordered closed by their respective district administrations. Instructions have also been issued to regional offices to ensure the structural safety of the remaining 2,065 bridges within the Narmada canal network.
This decisive action by the Gujarat government, leveraging advanced NDT techniques and comprehensive inspection protocols, aims to proactively address infrastructure vulnerabilities and prevent future tragedies, ensuring the long-term safety of its citizens and critical transportation arteries.
