Kundamala Bridge Collapse: In a tragic incident on Sunday, a 30-year-old bridge over the Indrayani river near Talegaon Dabhade in Maharashtra’s Pune district collapsed, leading to the death of four people and leaving several others injured. The Kundamala bridge, which had long been flagged by locals as structurally unsafe, gave way amidst the early monsoon rains, raising serious questions about infrastructure maintenance and public safety in tourist-heavy zones.
State Government Responds Swiftly with Compensation and Medical Aid
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences over the loss of lives and promptly announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also confirmed that the state government would bear all medical expenses for those injured in the collapse.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. The government stands with the families of those who lost their lives and will ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care,” said Fadnavis in a public statement.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Orders Probe and Promises Accountability
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was quick to react to the tragedy, promising that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and those responsible would be held accountable.
“We will investigate the reason for the collapse and take stringent action against the culprits. There can be no excuse for infrastructure negligence, especially when public safety is at risk,” Pawar said. He also assured that all necessary assistance would be extended to the victims and their families.
Warnings Were Ignored, Say Officials
The collapse has sparked a heated debate over negligence and ignored warnings. Local residents reportedly had voiced concerns about the bridge’s deteriorating condition for several months. Their fears, unfortunately, came true during the early monsoon rush when heavy footfall of tourists added to the strain on the already weak structure.
According to officials, prohibitory orders had been issued by Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi just days before the incident. The orders urged people to avoid mass gatherings at tourist spots like Kundamala, especially during the monsoon revival. However, enforcement appears to have been lax, leading to overcrowding and, ultimately, tragedy.
Minister for Water Resources Girish Mahajan also commented on the situation, saying, “While the district administration had issued prohibitory orders, people did not adhere to them. We will investigate if there was a lack of police presence at the location at the time of the collapse.”
Political Leaders React
Baramati MP Supriya Sule called the incident “deeply unfortunate” and urged tourists to prioritize safety over thrill. “We must learn to respect nature and follow instructions. Adventure should not come at the cost of life,” she said, urging people to follow official advisories during monsoon season.
Shirrang Barne, MP from Maval, expressed his condolences and revealed that he had recently raised the issue of safety at tourist locations in Parliament. “Just two days before this tragedy, I highlighted the need to ensure safety measures at popular destinations in Maval. This is a painful validation of those concerns,” Barne noted.
Locals Demand Accountability
Meanwhile, there is growing anger among local residents who believe the collapse was a disaster waiting to happen. “Everyone knew the bridge was unsafe. We’ve been raising the issue for months, but nothing happened,” said a shopkeeper in the area. Another resident stated, “Had the authorities acted in time, lives could have been saved.”
Investigation Underway
As search and rescue operations wrapped up late Sunday evening, a full-fledged inquiry was launched to determine the cause of the collapse. Engineers from the Public Works Department have begun inspecting the debris while forensic teams are expected to collect material samples to assess structural integrity.
The state government is expected to table a preliminary report in the coming days, and there are growing calls for a statewide audit of aging infrastructure, especially in flood-prone and tourist-heavy regions.
A Grim Reminder
The Kundamala bridge collapse is not an isolated incident. It serves as a grim reminder of the importance of timely maintenance, adherence to safety advisories, and the pressing need for infrastructure upgrades. With the monsoon season gaining momentum, the government’s next steps will be closely monitored by both the public and opposition parties.
