<p>The collapse of a 40-year-old bridge on the Mahisagar river in Vadodara, killing at least 18 people, is the latest in a series of bridge collapses in the country. Parts of the bridge fell into the river with vehicles, leaving no chance of survival to many. </p><p>This is the third bridge collapse in recent weeks – four people died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Pune last month; a newly repaired bridge collapsed in Assam’s Cachar district three weeks ago. Last year, Bihar reported 12 bridge collapses. </p><p>There have been several such collapses in Gujarat involving bridges and flyovers in recent years. Over 140 people were killed when the Morbi suspension bridge collapsed in October 2022, a few days after it was reopened following repairs.</p>.<p>There have been complaints about the safety of the Vadodara bridge. People who used the bridge and the local body authorities had brought the matter to the attention of the authorities. The district administration claimed that repairs were done last year. </p><p>The Gujarat government has announced an investigation of the incident. In the case of new bridges, substandard construction continues to be an area of concern. Often, poor quality materials are used, and the best processes of construction are not followed. Contractors eye undue profit and have to share the spoils with officials and political authorities. Repairs leave much to be desired and are often restricted to cosmetic work. No lessons are learnt from past tragedies while the hunger for private profit prevails over the need for public safety and the sense of public good.</p>.<p>It is estimated that about 100 bridges built before the country attained Independence are still being used. Concerns have been expressed about their safety. There are also questions about the safety of bridges built later. Scant attention is paid to the maintenance and upkeep of bridges and other structures. </p><p>These incidents should prod the authorities to initiate regular and detailed structural audits of all such assets and prioritise their repair and maintenance. Most often, accountability is not fixed for the lapses that cause the accidents. </p><p>These are not mere accidents but the results of a prolonged lack of upkeep and care. The Vadodara bridge collapsed a few months after it was certified as safe and without a "major defect". </p><p>Between a minor defect and a major defect, these faulty stamps of approval risk deaths and the loss of crores of rupees. It is time for a course correction, and that time is now.</p>
<p>The collapse of a 40-year-old bridge on the Mahisagar river in Vadodara, killing at least 18 people, is the latest in a series of bridge collapses in the country. Parts of the bridge fell into the river with vehicles, leaving no chance of survival to many. </p><p>This is the third bridge collapse in recent weeks – four people died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Pune last month; a newly repaired bridge collapsed in Assam’s Cachar district three weeks ago. Last year, Bihar reported 12 bridge collapses. </p><p>There have been several such collapses in Gujarat involving bridges and flyovers in recent years. Over 140 people were killed when the Morbi suspension bridge collapsed in October 2022, a few days after it was reopened following repairs.</p>.<p>There have been complaints about the safety of the Vadodara bridge. People who used the bridge and the local body authorities had brought the matter to the attention of the authorities. The district administration claimed that repairs were done last year. </p><p>The Gujarat government has announced an investigation of the incident. In the case of new bridges, substandard construction continues to be an area of concern. Often, poor quality materials are used, and the best processes of construction are not followed. Contractors eye undue profit and have to share the spoils with officials and political authorities. Repairs leave much to be desired and are often restricted to cosmetic work. No lessons are learnt from past tragedies while the hunger for private profit prevails over the need for public safety and the sense of public good.</p>.<p>It is estimated that about 100 bridges built before the country attained Independence are still being used. Concerns have been expressed about their safety. There are also questions about the safety of bridges built later. Scant attention is paid to the maintenance and upkeep of bridges and other structures. </p><p>These incidents should prod the authorities to initiate regular and detailed structural audits of all such assets and prioritise their repair and maintenance. Most often, accountability is not fixed for the lapses that cause the accidents. </p><p>These are not mere accidents but the results of a prolonged lack of upkeep and care. The Vadodara bridge collapsed a few months after it was certified as safe and without a "major defect". </p><p>Between a minor defect and a major defect, these faulty stamps of approval risk deaths and the loss of crores of rupees. It is time for a course correction, and that time is now.</p>
