A Bridge Under Construction in Gujarat Collapsed; Five Injured

Valsad: A bridge under construction in Gujarat’s Valsad district collapsed on Friday morning, injuring five labourers working on the structure. The incident occurred when a span between two pillars of the under-construction bridge over the Auranga river suddenly gave way. All five injured workers were rushed to Kasturba Hospital, where officials confirmed that their condition is stable. Debris removal began soon after.

The new bridge, planned to extend over 700 metres, is intended to connect Valsad town with neighbouring villages. Construction began in 2024 to replace the older, low-height bridge at the same site, which is frequently shut during monsoons due to structural deterioration—an issue that has repeatedly disrupted travel for local residents. The current project carries a projected cost of 42 crore rupees, with a completion deadline of July 2026.

Valsad district collector Bhavya Verma said, “The work of laying pillars on the Auranga river has been completed, and the girder-laying work was underway. While removing the scaffolding, one of the support structures slipped, causing the span in the tail area between two pillars to collapse. Five labourers were injured and have been rushed to Kasturba Hospital. Their condition is stable.”

She added that Royal Engineering Infra Private Limited is the contractor for the project, and an inquiry has been launched to determine the precise cause of the collapse. Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation.

An official from the Road and Building Department noted that the financial loss resulting from the collapse has not yet been assessed.

Rescue teams deployed drilling machines and cranes to remove the fallen structure. Large crowds gathered at the site, and videos recorded by local residents quickly circulated on social media. Police personnel were deployed to manage the crowd and regulate traffic.