Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel visited the site to oversee rescue operations and instructed local officials to expedite investigations. While the government claims decisive action is underway, the opposition remains unconvinced.Relief efforts were further complicated when a submerged tanker began leaking soda ash. The chemical’s reaction with water caused severe eye irritation among rescue workers, temporarily halting operations. Two additional bodies were recovered during the extraction of a truck from the riverbed, taking the official toll to 20.Opposition leader Amit Chavda of the Congress party has directly blamed the PWD and Chief Minister Patel for the disaster. He alleged that the bridge, constructed in the mid-1980s, had exceeded its design lifespan and had shown signs of distress such as visible shaking under traffic—which locals had repeatedly reported.Chavda accused the department of corruption and chronic negligence, asserting that such tragedies are becoming increasingly common due to systemic failures in infrastructure maintenance. He demanded that the Chief Minister accept moral responsibility and resign, echoing widespread public outrage over the state’s inability to prevent the catastrophe.As rescue teams continue their grim task and families await closure, the political spotlight remains firmly fixed on accountability and the urgent need for infrastructure safety reforms.
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