Old Bridge Collapse in Pune Claims Four Lives, Injures 51; State Announces Compensation and New Bridge Plan

Pune – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon when a 33-year-old iron bridge over the Indrayani River in the Kundmala area of Pune’s Maval tehsil collapsed, killing four people and injuring 51 others. The bridge, which connected nearby villages, gave way around 3:30 p.m. as nearly 125 tourists had gathered in the area for a monsoon outing.

In its preliminary report to the Maharashtra government, the Pune district administration confirmed the fatalities and stated that 55 individuals were rescued during the operation. Of the four victims, three have been identified as Chandrakant Sathale, Rohit Mane, and Vihan Mane, while the fourth remains unidentified. The injured are receiving treatment at various hospitals, including Talegaon General Hospital, where state authorities have visited to check on their condition.

Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan supervised the relief and rescue efforts, which resumed early Monday morning after being temporarily halted due to heavy rains. The operation involved teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), CRPF, Pimpri-Chinchwad police, and several NGOs.

Minister Mahajan announced that the state government would provide ₹5 lakh as ex gratia compensation to the families of each deceased individual. He also assured that the government would bear all medical expenses of the injured. He cautioned tourists against engaging in risky behavior during monsoon visits and urged them to avoid unsafe or restricted locations.

Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil and Maval MLA Sunil Shelke also visited the site. They confirmed that the bridge, constructed in 1993 by the Pune Zilla Parishad, had been declared unsafe last year. Warning signs had been put up at both ends of the bridge to prevent use, but some visitors ignored the advisory. “The incident is deeply unfortunate. Despite warnings, people used the bridge on a rainy day. The administration is actively involved in the relief operations,” said Patil.

The Pune administration revealed that the bridge had deteriorated significantly after three decades of usage. In 2023, officials deemed it unsafe and restricted public access. Despite this, the area remained a popular monsoon destination, attracting tourists during the rains.

To prevent future tragedies, the district administration has proposed the construction of a new bridge at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore. The Public Works Department (PWD) has already issued tenders and a work order, with construction scheduled to begin after the monsoon season ends.

Authorities have reiterated the importance of public cooperation and vigilance in such sensitive areas, especially during the monsoon when structural vulnerabilities can lead to disasters.