5 Days Before Pune Bridge Collapsed, Order To Build New One Was Passed
Mumbai:
The collapse of the 30-year-old pedestrian bridge in a Pune village that claimed four lives, came just five days after a work order was issued for the construction of a new bridge. Had the work order - issued after years of complaints from the villagers -been on time, last week's tragedy would not have taken place, say the locals.
The bridge, built for farmers on the Indrayani river 30 years ago, had become a selfie point in no time. Though its capacity was no more than four to five pedestrians at a time, it was carrying dozens of tourists and two-wheelers.
Alarmed, the locals tried to prod the government into action and at the same time, warn the tourists. But neither course of action succeeded.
Around 3 pm on Sunday, the bridge came down, claiming four lives. Many others were pulled out of the river in time.
Sources said the demand for a new bridge was placed seven years ago and the approval of Rs 8 crore was also received.
In 2017, local BJP MLA Digambar Bhegade was the first to demand a new bridge in place of the accident-hit bridge. After completing the inspection and design work, approval of Rs 8 crore for the new bridge was received in 2024 -- seven years after the demand.
But the work order was issued on June 10 -- a delay that many blame on officials.
"The process could have been faster. It took a lot of time. We were serious, but the officials were not serious. Also, this is a military area, there are always restrictions here," said Ravindra Bhegade, a local leader of the BJP.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he has asked the local officials for an "update". "Approval has been received to build the bridge at a cost of Rs 8 crore. I have asked the collector for an update, he will give detailed information," he said.
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