The retrieval comes on a day when the death toll climbed to 22, following the demise of Dilip Padhiyar, a victim who succumbed to his injuries at SSG Hospital in Vadodara. (Photo: Social Media)
Nearly a month after the tragic Gambhira bridge collapse over the Mahi River, rescue crews have finally retrieved the 12-tonne tanker that was perilously hanging from the broken structure. The operation, executed on Tuesday by the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) from Porbandar, brought closure to one of the most haunting visuals of the Vadodara-Anand border tragedy.
The retrieval comes on a day when the death toll climbed to 22, following the demise of Dilip Padhiyar, a victim who succumbed to his injuries at SSG Hospital in Vadodara.
The Gujarat government, acting on instructions from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, initiated the recovery process last Friday. A 60-member MERC team, known for its marine disaster response expertise, camped near the site and undertook one of their most complex operations yet, free of charge.
“It was a challenging task given the constraints. The structural integrity of the bridge was compromised. It could not bear any load, and there is a river under the bridge,” said Anand district collector Praveen Chaudhary.
The MERC team used advanced equipment, including hydraulic strand jacks, pneumatic roller bags, and a specially built cantilever, to elevate and stabilise the tanker.
The team ensured precision and safety at every step of the five-day operation.
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“After successful testing on Tuesday, the tanker was pulled to safety,” Chaudhary confirmed. “The bags placed under the tanker were inflated to lift it. Once the front of the tanker was lifted, it was safely retrieved.”
Due to the fragile condition of the bridge, officials kept a safe distance of 900 metres during the final phase of the operation. “Technically, there were many challenges — the strength of the bridge, water flow below it, and the tanker’s precarious position. But we had a plan,” said Ketan Gajjar, owner of MERC Private Limited.
He added, “The last phase on Tuesday took just 30 minutes.”
MERC, which refused to charge the government, earned praise for its philanthropic gesture. “We are grateful for this,” Chaudhary added.
Although the tanker's recovery was technically successful, a significant human cost was nonetheless incurred. The incident's 22 fatalities still raise concerns about accountability and the need for immediate infrastructure reviews. "MERC will always be available for any emergency in Gujarat or anywhere in the country," as Gajjr stated.
