Tragedy Strikes Near Pune: Deadly Bridge Collapse at Kund Mala Claims Four Lives, Sparks Calls for Accountability

A joyful Sunday outing turned into a devastating tragedy near Pune as an old iron and concrete footbridge, a familiar shortcut for locals and a popular crossing for tourists, collapsed into the Indrayani River at Kund Mala. The catastrophic incident, which occurred around 3:30 PM on Sunday, claimed the lives of four individuals, including a five-year-old boy, left one person missing, and critically injured eight others. The heartbreaking event has cast a somber shadow over the picturesque tourist spot, roughly 40km from Pune.

The narrow bridge, connecting Shelarwadi and Indori, had a history of concerns. Despite being officially declared dangerous and closed to the public, it remained in use, serving as a vital link for residents and a convenient passage for two-wheeler riders. Eyewitness accounts and official statements paint a grim picture of a structure overwhelmed.

Girish Mahajan, Minister for Water Resources and Disaster Management, who visited the scene, stated unequivocally, "A crowd of [over 100] people on the bridge at the time of the incident was beyond its carrying capacity. A large number of tourists had come here to enjoy their holiday. A signboard telling people not to enter this structure was also installed, but they still went there." His words underscore a critical lapse in public adherence to safety warnings.

Pimpri Chinchwad's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vishal Gaikwad, confirmed the identities of three of the deceased as Chandrakant Sathle, Rohit Mane, and five-year-old Vihan Mane. The identity of the fourth victim is yet to be established. In total, 51 people sustained injuries in the collapse. While 42 are now reported to be out of danger after receiving treatment, eight remain in critical condition in various hospitals. A small number, eight, have already been discharged.

The immediate aftermath saw an elaborate and harrowing rescue operation spearheaded by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, fire brigade, and other agencies. Heavy-duty cranes worked tirelessly into Sunday evening to lift the mangled iron guard rails, under which three victims were trapped. Rescuers bravely recovered two bodies, but the search for a third missing person continued. Pimpri Chinchwad's Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey confirmed that search operations would resume vigorously on Monday morning, both under the collapsed structure and downstream in the river.

As investigations begin, questions of responsibility are emerging. Senior Public Works Department (PWD) officials revealed that the bridge, constructed over three decades ago, was handed over to the Pune Zilla Parishad for maintenance. Local MLA Sunil Shelke assured the public that a new parallel bridge has been sanctioned with an allocated Rs 8 crore, and the tendering process is complete, with work set to commence after the monsoon season.

However, local residents and authorities alike have highlighted a concerning discrepancy. While the PWD claimed a warning sign was in place and the bridge was "closed for public movement" after being deemed "dangerous," locals argue there were no physical barricades or police enforcement to prevent its use. Umakant Dalvi, a survivor, vividly recounted the terrifying moments: "There was no space. It was crowded, and there were some bikes on it. The situation worsened quickly." He described a chaotic scene as many scrambled towards the main road after the collapse.

The incident also brings into sharp focus recent prohibitory orders issued by Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, just a week prior, restricting public access to rivers, lakes, and other popular monsoon tourist spots in the Lonavla area and other parts of the district. The collapsed bridge area was covered under these orders. Despite warning boards and even police presence, the area was reportedly overcrowded.

District Collector Dudi has swiftly announced the formation of a five-member committee, headed by an additional collector-ranked officer, to thoroughly investigate the accident. The committee's mandate is two-fold: to identify any administrative lapses and to recommend improvements to existing standard operating procedures. Their report is expected within a fortnight. Dudi sternly urged the public to "strictly follow the prohibitory orders issued for all tourist locations in the district, especially areas with waterfalls or other water bodies."

Minister Mahajan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the shared responsibility of tourists to adhere to safety guidelines. He also vowed to seek action from the Chief Minister against any police personnel found negligent, stating, "The bridge was not guarded despite orders to keep it closed." In the wake of this profound loss, the state government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, with the district administration fully covering the treatment costs for all injured victims.