Digital News Guru Maharashtra Desk:
Pune bridge collapse over the Indrayani River near Kundamala, Pune district
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 15, 2025, tragedy struck the picturesque Kund Mala tourist spot near Talegaon-Dabhade, about 40 km from Pune, when an aging iron‑and‑concrete footbridge spanning the Indrayani River collapsed under heavy load. What followed was a rescue mission led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, fire brigade, and compassionate volunteers—ultimately saving dozens of lives, yet confirming four fatalities and leaving one person unaccounted for.
A Precarious Crossing
Constructed in the early 1990s by the Pune Public Works Department (PWD) and handed over for maintenance to the Pune Zilla Parishad, this narrow bridge had long been flagged as unfit. Despite warning signs and orders to close it, structural barricades were never installed—allowing the community and impulsive tourists to continue using it regularly.
By the time it collapsed around 3:30 PM, the bridge was reportedly carrying between 100 and 200 people, including two-wheeler riders using it as a shortcut. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying moment when the bridge swayed violently for several minutes before giving way, hurling people and bikes into the swift, swollen river .
Casualties and Injuries
- Deadly toll: Four people perished, including a five-year-old boy named Vihan Mane. Other identified victims include Chandrakant Sathale and Rohit Mane, while one victim remains unnamed.
- Missing: One individual is still unaccounted for as search efforts continue.
- Injured: 51 people sustained injuries; eight are in critical condition in ICUs, with the remainder reported to be stable.
Rescue Amid Chaos
The collapse triggered immediate rescue operations. The NDRF, local police, fire brigades, and volunteers deployed cranes and cut through mangled steel to extract those trapped. While many were rescued the same evening, operations resumed at first light to locate those still missing.
One survivor, Advocate Nilesh Khollam, recounted escaping mere moments before collapse. He aided injured victims clinging to the remaining structure. Another survivor, Umakant Dalvi, reflected on the precariousness, saying he “almost fell into it” just before it gave way.
Administrative Lapses Under Scrutiny
Despite clearly warning signs and verbal prohibitions, villagers say police neither blocked access to the bridge nor enforced closure, allowing the public free access to a dangerous structure.
A Maharashtra government official noted that repairs had been authorized six months ago, but the work never commenced. A new Rs 8 crore parallel bridge has been approved, with tendering complete; work is now set to proceed post-monsoon.
In response, the Pune district collector, Jitendra Dudi, announced a five-member inquiry team headed by an additional collector. The committee must identify administrative failures and recommend procedural fixes within 14 days.
Compensation & Interim Measures
The Maharashtra state government announced Rs 5 lakh in ex gratia for each deceased’s family and pledged to cover all medical expenses for the injured. Additionally, a state-wide structural audit of all bridges, particularly in tourist regions, will be initiated immediately.
Tourist locations in the Pune district have been placed under prohibitory orders until August 31, 2025. These measures, introduced initially after the 2024 Bhushi Dam waterfall tragedy, include restricting access to risky areas, installing warning signs, placing lifeguards and safety personnel, and barring selfie zones in hazardous sites.
Echoes of Previous Tragedies
This tragedy echoes earlier disasters. In 2022, a Gujarat bridge collapse claimed over 130 lives, prompting landmark recommendations for structural safety audits and emergency preparedness . Similar advisories advocate for the retrofitting of older arch and footbridges with lighting, reflective markers, more frequent inspections, vegetation clearance, and improved pedestrian railings .
A Community in Shock
In the aftermath of the collapse, villagers and tourists alike were shaken. Several eyewitnesses recalled the collective panic on the bridge, rushing for survival under the roaring waters. Survivors recounted aiding those who fell and witnessing helpless toddlers swept away.
Local leaders, including MLA Sunil Shelke, have urged stronger enforcement of safety notices and barricades. Sharad Pawar, senior NCP leader, has called for enhanced tourist safety vigilance during monsoon months.
Looking Ahead: Lessons & Action
The Pune bridge collapse underscores systemic vulnerabilities: aging but essential infrastructure, administrative inertia, and lagging enforcement of safety advisories. District officials emphasize strict adherence to prohibitory orders, citing legal repercussions under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Disaster Management Act for violations.
Restoring public faith will require swift action—not just in reconstructing the bridge, but in ensuring similar structures are safely secured or replaced. The upcoming audit of over 20,000 bridges across Maharashtra hints at a more proactive governmental posture .
As the investigation proceeds, families of victims await resolution and accountability, while visitors and locals hope the province’s many tourist gems will no longer harbor hidden perils.
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