Pune: Neglect, Rust, and Overcrowding: Inside The Kundmala Bridge Tragedy
Pune: Neglect, Rust, and Overcrowding: Inside The Kundmala Bridge Tragedy
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has stated that the tragic bridge collapse on Sunday in Pune’s Maval tehsil was due to structural failure caused by rusting and overcrowding. Speaking to the media, Pawar said, “We have received various accounts of the incident. As per initial information, the bridge was old and rusted. Many people were standing on it when it collapsed.”
The incident took place around 3:30 PM in the Kundamala area, a popular picnic destination on the Indrayani River, which had swelled after days of continuous rainfall. Although it was not raining at the time of the accident, approximately 100 picnickers were reportedly on the bridge when it gave way.
So far, four people have died and at least 51 others sustained injuries.
Neglected Warnings, Overcrowding Under the Scanner
The bridge was intended solely for pedestrian use and had a warning sign prohibiting two-wheelers. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, who visited the site to oversee relief operations, said the bridge collapsed under the weight of a large crowd.
“The bridge was for pedestrians only. It appears that people ignored the safety instructions, which led to this tragedy,” Mahajan stated. He announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and confirmed that cranes were being deployed to remove the rubble.
District officials reported that the injured are being treated at three nearby hospitals. An investigation has been launched into why police were not deployed in the area despite its popularity during the monsoon season.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed their condolences and were briefed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and fire departments continue to search for the missing.
