Vadodara, Sep 20 (PTI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday inaugurated a new bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara, nearly a year after a section of the 40-year-old bridge near Gambhira village collapsed, killing 22 people.
The state government had approved the construction of a parallel two-lane bridge on the Mahisagar river and sanctioned Rs 212 crore for the project after the tragedy, said officials.
Several vehicles had plunged into the river after a segment of the bridge collapsed on July 9, 2025.
With the incident claiming 22 lives, the government had come under severe criticism from the public over lapses in the inspection of the bridge.
At a programme in Trimandir in Vadodara district, CM Patel on Sunday laid the foundation stones for and inaugurated various projects, including the Gambhira bridge, worth Rs 1,297 crore, said officials.
The development package also includes the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Sankalp Bhoomi Memorial at Kalyannagar in the district, an official release said.
The government is continuously working to bring every village, family and citizen into the mainstream of the development process, Patel said.
It is committed to improving citizens’ well-being through various projects, including the construction of 593 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said.
Social harmony and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) have received continuous encouragement under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Patel said.
He described the inauguration of the Dr Ambedkar memorial in Vadodara, built at a cost of around Rs 29 crore, as an important step in this direction.
A significant period of Dr Ambedkar’s life is connected with the city of Vadodara, said officials.
A 12-foot-tall statue of the iconic social reformer and chief architect of the Constitution has been installed at the memorial, which also features a museum, a digital show, a library and an auditorium, the release said.
Dr Ambedkar worked with determination to eliminate social evils and inequality and establish social harmony, Patel said, adding that the memorial would become a source of inspiration for future generations for social equality, unity and harmony.
The memorial would convey the message that even in adverse circumstances, determined efforts for the uplift of society can bring about meaningful change, he said.
Patel also talked about the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, a nationwide campaign running from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of PM Modi’s journey in public service.
The politics of development has been given a new direction by translating the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ into action, Patel was quoted as saying in the release.
Under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, efforts are being made to take PM Modi’s contribution to national service, welfare schemes for the poor and development-oriented initiatives to people across the country, he said. PTI KVM PD NR
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