At least four people, including a child, lost their lives and 51 others were injured after a 30-year-old iron footbridge over the Indrayani River collapsed on Sunday in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The incident occurred around 3.30 pm in the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil, a popular monsoon picnic spot, according to a report by The Times of India.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the bridge collapsed due to structural weakness and overcrowding. “Initial information suggests the bridge was rusted and very old. Too many people were on it when it gave way,” TOI quoted him as saying.
Nearly 100 people were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Though it was not raining then, the river below was swollen after several days of heavy rainfall.
According to the PWD officials, the footbridge was built over three decades ago and handed over to the Pune Zilla Parishad, which remains responsible for its upkeep. The state government recently sanctioned Rs 8 crore for the construction of a new bridge parallel to the existing one, with work scheduled to begin after the monsoon, TOI reported.
Ignored warnings and overcrowding
The iron bridge, built for pedestrians only, had clear warning signs prohibiting the entry of two-wheelers, which were allegedly ignored by tourists. Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, who visited the site, said the bridge collapsed under the weight of too many people. He announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of those who died, TOI reported.
Local BJP leader Balasaheb Shelar, a resident of nearby Shelarmala village, while speaking to The Indian Express, said authorities had put up boards warning of the bridge’s poor condition. “Tourists come here every monsoon. Despite repeated warnings from the police and local bodies, people crowd the bridge to take selfies and shoot videos,” he said.
According to NCP MLA Sunil Shelke, the bridge was built 30 years ago for the movement of farmers. “This bridge was constructed for the movement of farmers 30 years ago. But due to the excessive load of tourists and two-wheelers, this bridge collapsed,” news agency quoted Shelke as saying.
District officials informed that the injured are being treated in three different hospitals. A formal investigation has been ordered into why safety warnings were not enforced more strictly, especially during the tourist season, according to the IE report.
Residents said that while police usually visit the area on weekends to warn tourists, there is no permanent security presence. “Once police leave, tourists return from other routes. There’s no regular monitoring,” Indian Express quoted Anil Shelar, a local, as saying.
Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikant Mahavarkar stated that the bridge area comes under the Dehu Road Cantonment Board, and posting officers every day is not practical. “Boards have been put up to warn tourists, but they are often ignored,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered their condolences. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis briefed them on the situation. Rescue efforts by the NDRF, fire department, and local police continue as teams work to locate those still missing.
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