Pune bridge tragedy: Rust, overcrowding or neglect - What caused the collapse? Probe under way
NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has said that Sunday's tragic bridge collapse in Pune's Maval tehsil to structural failure caused by rust and excessive crowding.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Pawar said, 'We have received various versions of the incident. As per the preliminary information, the bridge was old and rusted. Many people were standing on the bridge when it collapsed.'
The incident occurred around 3.30 PM in the Kundamala area, a popular picnic spot on the Indrayani River, which had been swollen due to days of heavy rainfall. While it wasn't raining at the time, at least 100 picnickers were reportedly present on the old iron bridge when it gave way.
Four people have been killed and at least 18 people were seriously injured in the collapse. Search teams are still looking for at least three individuals, including a child, believed to be trapped under the collapsed structure.
Bridge condition, overcrowding and ignored warnings under scrutiny
The collapsed bridge, described as a pedestrian-only structure, had a warning board barring the entry of two-wheelers. Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, who reached the spot to oversee rescue efforts, said the bridge caved in under the weight of a large crowd.
"The bridge was meant only for pedestrians. It seems people on the bridge did not pay heed to the instructions, which caused the incident," Mahajan said. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased and confirmed that cranes were being used to remove the debris.
District officials confirmed that three hospitals are currently treating the injured. A probe has also been ordered into the lack of police presence despite the area's popularity during the monsoon season.
Union home minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and were briefed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the ongoing relief work. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and fire departments, are continuing their efforts to locate the missing.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
4 dead, one missing & 8 critical as bridge across Indrayani River in Kund Mala tourist spot near Pune collapses
Pune: Four people, including a five-year-old boy, died, one person was missing and eight others were critically injured after an iron and concrete footbridge, also used by two-wheeler riders collapsed in the Indrayani River near Kund Mala, a popular tourist destination about 40km from Pune, at 3.30pm on Sunday. The narrow bridge connects Shelarwadi, near Bhegdewadi close to the old Pune-Mumbai highway, with Indori. It was declared dangerous and closed for use. Minister for water resources and disaster management Girish Mahajan told reporters at the spot, "A crowd of (100+) people on the bridge at the time of the incident was beyond its carrying capacity, following which it collapsed as 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." 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The rescuers managed to pull out the bodies of two victims but a third person was reported missing. Pimpri Chinchwad's police commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey said search operations will resume on Monday morning under the collapsed bridge and downstream sections of the river. Senior public works department officials told TOI that they constructed the footbridge over three decades ago and handed it over to Pune zilla parishad for maintenance and its upkeep was the ZP's responsibility. A new parallel bridge has been sanctioned and work will begin after the rains. Local MLA Sunil Shelke told TOI, "The administration sanctioned Rs 8 crore and the tendering process is over. " Local authorities, including Indori village's sarpanch, had flagged the old bridge as unsafe. "Despite a warning sign put up by the sarpanch, people continued to use it," the PWD official said. District administration officials said there were over a 100 people on the bridge when it collapsed. They said the bridge was closed for public movement after it was termed 'dangerous' for use. However, local residents said that it was still being used, and there were no barricades or restrictions by the police or the local administration. The bridge was also being used by two-wheeler riders from two villages as a shortcut to reach the main road. Several bikes were also swept away in the accident, an official said. "There was no space. It was crowded, and there were some bikes on it. The situation worsened quickly," Umakant Dalvi, a survivor, told TOI. He said many ran towards the main road after it collapsed. Deputy commandant of NDRF Deepak Tiwari said the iron structure had to be cut and then removed by cranes. Two bodies were recovered from under the mangled frames. Barely a week ago, Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi had passed an order listing several restrictions for people visiting rivers, lakes, waterfalls and other popular weekend spots during the monsoon in Lonavla and other places in the district. The affected area was also covered under the prohibitory orders. Officials said that although warning boards were in place and police personnel were stationed in the area, it was overcrowded. Dudi told TOI, "A five-member committee will be constituted to investigate the accident. The committee will have two primary mandates: first, to examine whether there was any administrative lapse, and second, to recommend changes to the existing standard operating procedures. It will be headed by an additional collector ranked officer and the panel will submit its report within a fortnight." 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- Time of India
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