Pune Bridge Tragedy: Maharashtra Govt Orders Closure Of Risky Tourist Spots During Monsoon
Pune Bridge Tragedy: Maharashtra Govt Orders Closure Of Risky Tourist Spots During Monsoon
Mumbai, June 17, 2025: Following the tragic collapse of an old iron bridge in Pune’s Kundmala area that claimed four lives, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has directed authorities to temporarily shut down monsoon-sensitive tourist spots across the state. Chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, Saunik emphasized that merely placing warning signs was insufficient and that access to vulnerable areas should be restricted until necessary safety measures and repairs are completed.
The 32-year-old pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River had already been declared unsafe by local authorities and marked with warning signage, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said earlier.
Saunik stated that during the monsoon, many scenic spots attract heavy crowds and stressed the need for stricter vigilance. She instructed that Home Guards and NCC cadets be deployed for crowd control and on-ground monitoring. She also asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to survey all bridges and repair or rebuild old structures, especially in the Pune division which sees a surge in monsoon tourism.
The chief secretary also cited other recent tragedies, including the death of four passengers on an overcrowded train in Thane, and urged all agencies to coordinate to prevent such incidents.
In a separate meeting, Saunik proposed enhanced train and metro safety measures like baggage scanners, crowd alerts, and AI-powered CCTV monitoring. She also stressed the importance of verified updates during emergencies to combat misinformation.
