Over 15 People Escape Tragedy as Overloaded Boat Capsizes in Mahisagar River
In a harrowing incident on Tuesday, a boat ferrying more than 15 people capsized in the Mahisagar River, sending shockwaves through the local communities of Anand and Vadodara districts. The canoe, which was en route from Gambhira in Anand district to Mujpur in Vadodara district, overturned in the swelling waters, but miraculously, all passengers were rescued in the nick of time, with no casualties reported.
Narrow Escape Due to Proximity to Riverbank
Officials have attributed the capsize to overloading, as the boat was arriving towards the riverbank in Gambhira with an excessive number of passengers. Fortunately, the incident occurred close to the shore, allowing local residents to swiftly pull out all travellers from the water. Five individuals sustained minor injuries due to the fall and were taken to a referral hospital for treatment before being discharged. Authorities confirmed that there were no fatalities, highlighting the timely rescue efforts.
Daily Commute Turns Perilous After Bridge Collapse
For many residents living in villages along the Mahisagar riverbank, this boat journey has become a daily necessity since the collapse of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge on July 9, 2025. The bridge, which is currently being restored for temporary use, left locals with no alternative but to risk their lives in private, unregulated boats to avoid a lengthy 45-kilometer detour by road. This incident underscores the ongoing dangers faced by hundreds of people who rely on these precarious water crossings for their daily commute between Vadodara and Anand districts.
Political Response and Calls for Regulation
In the aftermath of the near-tragedy, Vadodara District Congress unit leader and former MLA of Padra Assembly Constituency, Jashpalsinh Padhiyar, visited the Mujpur end of the bridge. He expressed grave concerns over the delay in addressing the safety issues, stating that the government's inaction has put lives at risk. Padhiyar emphasized that while the authorities failed to prevent the bridge collapse, they must now ensure that unregulated boat operations do not lead to another disaster. He noted that the river has been swelling over the past two days, making the situation even more perilous, and praised the fact that the capsize occurred near the shore rather than in deeper waters.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better regulation and safety measures in river transport, especially in areas where infrastructure failures have forced residents into hazardous alternatives. As communities continue to grapple with the aftermath, calls for immediate action to prevent future tragedies are growing louder.
