India’s rapid infrastructure expansion is being overshadowed by an alarming rise in bridge collapses – turning symbols of connectivity into sites of tragedy. From century-old structures worn down by time to new constructions failing within years, the failures reflect more than structural fatigue; they reveal systemic lapses in design, auditing and governance. As lives are lost and public trust erodes, experts are calling for urgent reforms to ensure that the nation’s drive to build does not come at the cost of safety. The latest collapseTragedy struck again in Gujarat with the collapse of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge, a vital link between Central and South Gujarat and Saurashtra. Built in 1986 at a cost of Rs 343 lakh by the UP State Bridge Construction Company, the nearly 900-m-long structure with 23 piers was expected to last a century. Despite repeated warnings from local leaders – some even predicting that the bridge would not survive another year – no preventive action was taken.A pattern of failuresJust months earlier, in August 2024, Bihar witnessed the third collapse of a section of the under-construction Aguwani–Sultanganj Bridge, a Rs 1,710 crore project. The Bihar State Bridge Corporation claimed the fallen portion was already damaged and scheduled for demolition. But with 18 bridge collapses reported across Bihar since March 2024, this explanation rang hollow. On July 29, the Supreme Court notified the Bihar government on a petition calling for a comprehensive structural audit of all existing and ongoing bridge works.In Gujarat, the infamous Morbi suspension bridge collapse on October 30, 2022, which killed 135 people, is just one in a series of disasters. SP Singla Constructions – currently under scrutiny for the Bihar collapse – has also been awarded bridge contracts in Gujarat. There have been over 27 bridge-related collapses in Gujarat in 2024 alone, and over 100 in the past five years. Even Uttarakhand hasn’t been spared. The Rudraprayag Signature Bridge has collapsed twice – once in 2022 and again in 2024 – under the National Highways Authority of India’s watchIgnored warnings and flawed oversightIn a LinkedIn post nine months ago, I had raised concerns following a bridge collapse in Uttar Pradesh. I warned that older bridges – compromised by age, rising traffic and extreme weather – were failing without warning. Yet, even when red flags are raised, standard operating procedures across states appear deeply flawed. As I emphasised then, “Corruption is at the core of these lapses and lives are being endangered.”Adding a technical perspective to this concern, Chetan R. Raikar, Chairman & Managing Director, Structwel Designers and Consultants, outlines critical gaps in the inspection process: “Inspection should start even after five years of service life. Projects of bridge constructions are awarded on either BOT basis or design and build basis. In the latter, the contractor selects and appoints a designer who gives the ‘most economical’ design and charges the least.  The construction quality does not necessarily support the marginal design, and the routine overloading of vehicular traffic stresses the bridge components beyond design strength. In the process, the service life of the bridge reduces drastically, needing early inspection.”He recommends a tiered inspection framework, beginning with rapid visual surveys conducted by trained inspectors, followed by more detailed assessments by senior engineers. “Non-destructive testing (NDT) can be carried out regularly after the visual inspection,” he suggests. “Structural health monitoring must be carried out on large span and bridges with heavier traffic/with higher traffic intensity. A bridge, or any structure, gives sufficient and unmistakable warning signs before collapsing. These signs must be understood in time and, if acted upon, can easily avoid any and all collapses.”When new bridges fail tooIt’s not just legacy bridges. Several newly built or under-construction bridges are also failing at an alarming rate. A list compiled by journalist Dilip Singh Kshatriya highlights shocking examples:Hatkeshwar Bridge, Ahmedabad: Built in 2017, deemed unsafe in five years.Mumtapura Bridge, Ahmedabad: Section caved in during 2021Halvad Bridge, Morbi: Collapsed in August 2024, just a year after being builtMetro Flyover, Surat: Cracked even before inaugurationAmbedkar Bridge, Mehsana: Collapsed in February 2024 despite repeated repair pleasPalanpur Overbridge: Girder collapse in October 2023 killed a rickshaw driverJanada Bridge, Botad: Collapsed within three years of constructionDhandhusar Bridge, Junagadh: 1975-built structure collapsed in 2023Khari River Bridge, Mehsana Bypass: Sunk in 2020 after just six years of service.Other incidents include failures in Vadodara, Bharuch, Rajkot and Surat, often involving blacklisted or unqualified contractors.The accountability crisisThe root causes are often traced back to flawed contractor selection, lack of qualifications and weak engineering oversight. As I have observed earlier, procedures set for contractor selection are being compromised. Blacklisted contractors continue receiving contracts. Many lack qualified engineers and experienced teams. Even good materials can't compensate for poor engineering.Atul Bhobe, Managing Director, TPF Engineering, attributes this to an acute shortage of qualified technical personnel. “The talent pool hasn’t increased at the same pace as implementation. Less trained or untrained minds are working on a large number of projects. Experience cannot be replaced by sheer numbers. What starts out as a great concept from a trained and experienced mind gets implemented by untrained and inexperienced ones.”Despite serious structural failures, many contractors under investigation continue to win government tenders. This lack of accountability is eroding public trust and compromising safety across the country.Will action follow tragedy?Some states have begun taking corrective measures. After the collapse of a bridge over the Indrayani River in Pune’s Maval taluka on June 15, which led to fatalities, the Maharashtra government launched a state-wide safety initiative. The Public Works Department was tasked with auditing and repairing old bridges, particularly those from the British era. According to state data, there are 16,519 bridges under Maharashtra’s PWD, of which 1,693 have been repaired in the last decade and 451 have undergone structural audits. This effort offers a roadmap for other states. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s directive to Bihar for a comprehensive audit might just be the beginning of wider regulatory scrutiny nationwide.Engineering safer futuresIndia’s ambition to build faster and bigger must be tempered with caution, discipline and engineering rigour. Periodic audits, independent reviews of ageing structures, stringent contractor selection and stronger enforcement of codes are urgently required.Events such as the upcoming RAHSTA Expo & Conference (October 9-10, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai) aim to turn the spotlight on such issues. The forum will bring together policymakers, engineers, contractors and technology providers to discuss safer road and bridge infrastructure, sustainable construction materials and project management innovations. As I’ve asserted, the quality of infrastructure in the quest to build faster and more cannot afford to be compromised.India stands at an infrastructure crossroads. Without a shift in priorities and practices, the cost will not just be economic – it will be counted in lives lost and communities disconnected.