Rats cause bridge collapse in Indore, days after hospital tragedy

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Days after a shocking incident in which rats gnawed at newborn babies in a government hospital’s neonatal ward, killing two infants, another alarming case of rodent-related damage has emerged, this time beneath one of the city’s busiest flyovers.

A section of the descending lane of the 70-year-old Shastri Bridge, which links the eastern and western parts of Indore, collapsed on Sunday, prompting the municipal corporation to launch urgent repair efforts. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

A five-foot-deep crater suddenly appeared on Shastri Bridge, one of Indore’s oldest and most heavily used structures, forcing police to immediately barricade the area and divert traffic. Officials have now confirmed that the cause was not heavy rainfall or construction failure, but rats burrowing beneath the bridge.

After being alerted to the incident, the corporation’s emergency response team quickly reached the site and began immediate restoration work to stabilise the structure and prevent any further deterioration.

How did the collapse happen?

According to preliminary findings from the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), workers conducting unrelated maintenance discovered extensive rat tunnels under the bridge near the Punjab National Bank stretch. The rodents had hollowed out the soil, causing it to give way and form a large sinkhole.

Traffic was light at the time, averting a potential disaster. “If the collapse had occurred during peak hours, it could have led to serious casualties,” an IMC official said, as per an NDTV report.

By Monday, municipal engineers, along with experts from the Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) and the Public Works Department (PWD), carried out emergency repairs. During the inspection, over 20 rat burrows were found under the bridge.

Public Works in-charge Rajendra Rathore said the damaged portion contained a 25- to 30-year-old slab that had weakened over time. “The slab had rotted, and rats had burrowed through it, worsening the situation,” he said. Rathore noted that a nearby tea stall had likely attracted rodents. “The rodents even entered the V-pole drainage holes of the bridge,” he added, saying the footpath and drainage system would be redesigned to prevent further damage.

A recurring problem ignored

This is not the first time Shastri Bridge has faced rodent-related damage. Around ten months ago, more than 200 rat holes were discovered during a repair drive, but no long-term preventive measures were taken.

Built in the early 1950s, the bridge is Indore’s first single-lane crossing. It has long been deemed unsafe for modern traffic loads. Despite repeated appeals, no major repairs have been undertaken in recent years. The latest collapse has reignited calls for a comprehensive safety audit of Indore’s ageing infrastructure.

Civic embarrassment for India’s “cleanest” city

IMC Commissioner Dilip Yadav said a technical team is assessing the structural integrity of the remaining section of the bridge and will recommend repairs or replacement. The incident, however, has become a major civic embarrassment for Indore, often showcased as a model of urban cleanliness and efficiency.