Kheda: In the wake of the recent collapse of the Gambhira River bridge near Padra, the administration has begun shutting down dilapidated and potentially dangerous bridges across the state to prevent further tragedies. One such major closure involves a key bridge over the Tapi River on National Highway 48. Several other smaller bridges in towns across Gujarat have also been closed to traffic.

However, as of the time of writing, Google Maps, a go-to app for navigation, is still showing many of these bridges as operational and open to commuters — a risky affair for travelers.

Among the closed bridges is the Mahisagar River bridge near Sevaliya in Galteshwar taluka, which is in a severely dilapidated condition, with steel rods of its expansion joints visibly exposed. After media reports raised concerns over the bridge’s structural integrity, authorities conducted an urgent inspection. Upon detecting serious faults, vehicular movement on the bridge was suspended until September 7.

The Sevaliya bridge, which connects Galteshwar taluka to National Highway 47, a key route to Madhya Pradesh, has long worried locals, who feared it could collapse at any moment. Originally built during the British era, the overbridge handles constant traffic from Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Madhya Pradesh. At over 70 years old, its deteriorated condition has sparked widespread panic. A team of bridge experts and engineers inspected the site and found major faults in the expansion joints and bearings, prompting a full closure to vehicular traffic.

In another case, the movement of heavy vehicles has been suspended on the 58-year-old Meriya River bridge, located on National Highway 56 between Bodeli and Jabugam in Chhota Udepur district. The decision was taken late at night by the district administration due to safety concerns. Currently, only light vehicles and two-wheelers are allowed to pass. However, Google Maps is still showing that heavy vehicles can use the bridge, which could lead to potentially dangerous situations.

Yet another affected structure is the Shree Rangsetu bridge near Shinor, located on the Segva–Rajpipla route. This bridge, which connects Shinor in Vadodara district to Nandod in Narmada district, spans the Narmada River and was constructed in 2005. It is a vital route for goods vehicles traveling to and from Maharashtra.

The Rangsetu bridge has faced multiple closures in the past. It was shut for repairs in 2015–16, with work lasting over six years at a cost of ₹10 crore. Again, in 2021, it underwent ₹1.25 crore worth of repairs over a two-month period. The government has now announced plans to construct a new bridge, with a proposed budget exceeding ₹250 crore, to replace the aging structure.

Another bridge that has been closed is the Dhadhar River bridge between Jambusar and Amod. District Collector Gaurang Makwana visited the site on Friday and inspected the bridge’s condition. The collector obtained detailed structural information from administrative officials. Following the inspection, the movement of all heavy vehicles, including ST buses, has been banned with immediate effect. Only light vehicles are allowed to ply on the bridge.

Despite these closures, navigation apps like Google Maps continue to show these bridges as open, potentially misleading commuters. Authorities have urged travelers to follow official advisories and designated diversion routes until further notice DeshGujarat