Cracks Appear on Gujarat Bridge on NH-51, Locals Raise Safety Concerns

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April 20, 2026

Cracks Appear on Gujarat Bridge on NH-51, Locals Raise Safety Concerns

Large cracks have appeared on a bridge along the Bhavnagar–Somnath National Highway in Gujarat’s Amreli district, raising serious safety concerns among motorists and residents. Locals say the damage has been ignored despite repeated complaints to authorities.

Published by Priti | March 08, 2026

Amreli, Gujarat: Cracks discovered on a bridge along the Bhavnagar–Somnath National Highway (NH-51) have triggered safety concerns among motorists and local residents in Gujarat’s Amreli district.

According to reports, the bridge located in Rajula taluka has developed cracks measuring approximately 5 to 6 inches wide and around 40 to 50 metres long. The damage has alarmed commuters who regularly use the highway, with many fearing a potential accident if immediate repairs are not carried out.

Local residents claim they have repeatedly raised the issue with authorities, but no significant action has been taken so far.

Political Leaders Demand Action

Former Rajula MLA and BJP leader Ambarish Der has urged authorities to take strict action against the contractor responsible for the bridge’s construction.

He said the government should issue an ultimatum and hold negligent contractors accountable to prevent any major mishap.

Concerns After Past Bridge Collapse

The situation has revived memories of the Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara, which resulted in 22 deaths and several injuries. Investigations into that incident pointed to structural issues caused by heavy usage and inadequate maintenance.

Residents fear that ignoring early warning signs such as cracks could lead to a similar tragedy.

Important Highway Route

The Bhavnagar–Somnath highway, officially designated as National Highway 51 (NH-51), connects Bhavnagar to Dwarka via Somnath and serves as an important transport route in Gujarat.

However, the stretch has witnessed multiple infrastructure concerns in the past. Earlier, a bridge near Dudhala village in Amreli district collapsed just days after its inauguration, raising questions about construction quality.

In another incident in 2023, cement girders on an under-construction bridge near Datradi village collapsed during construction.

Residents and commuters are now urging authorities to inspect the damaged bridge immediately and take preventive action to ensure public safety.