The Gujarat tourism department’s website still advertises the Morbi Bridge as a “Victorian-era architectural marvel” more than two years after the tragic collapse that killed 135 people. Families of the victims and locals are aghast at the insensitive portrayal of the bridge. They believe the bridge ought to be remembered as a memorial rather than a tourism destination.
During Diwali in October 2022, the pedestrian suspension bridge across the Machchhu River, which dates back to the British era, collapsed. As many as 135 people, including 54 children, died when the bridge collapsed beneath the weight of 200–250 people. Ironically, the bridge is still called “an artistic and technological marvel” and a “nostalgic reminder of Victorian London” on the Gujarat tourism website.
This description has drawn sharp criticism for overlooking the immense suffering caused by the collapse. We may recall that Oreva, a local industrial group, was awarded the contract to repair, renovate, and maintain the bridge. The company reopened the bridge on October 24, 2022, but structural failures allegedly led to the disaster. More than a month passed before the bridge’s remains were cleared, and the site still lacks a replacement.
Victims’ families express their pain every time they pass the site, finding it unacceptable that the place where their loved ones died is being promoted as a tourist destination. Many others feel strongly that the site should be a memorial, not a tourist spot. They recall the horror of that night and the lives lost due to negligence.
Many residents believe the mention of the bridge as a tourist attraction is a blunder. The bridge no longer exists, as the area is now blocked off. They feel the government should have avoided such promotion and should focus on building a memorial to honour the victims.
The ongoing promotion of the Morbi Bridge as a tourist site has triggered calls for the government to reassess its approach and ensure that the victims’ memories are honoured with dignity. The site remains without a replacement bridge.
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