4 Dead, 20 Feared Drowned After Pedestrian Bridge Collapses in Pune

 Mumbai: At least four people died and nearly 20-25 people are feared to have drowned in the Indrayani River after an old iron pedestrian bridge at Kund Mala near Talegaon Dabhade in Pune district collapsed on Sunday afternoon. The Maharashtra government ordered an enquiry into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the relatives of the deceased. The government will also bear the medical expenses of the injured people.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde instructed chief secretary Sujata Saunik to conduct a structural audit of all old bridges. Mr. Shinde said that 20 to 25 people are feared drowned in the Indrayani River and the search operation was still on.

A senior official said that around 400 personnel including two teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), disaster response volunteers (Apda Mitra), fire brigades from Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and PMRDA, and local rescue organizations, have been roped in for rescue operations at the incident site.

Shrirang Barne, Shiv Sena MP from Maval told this newspaper that the bridge was in a dilapidated condition. “It was meant for pedestrian use. A huge crowd turned up at the spot on Sunday and some of them even took their vehicles on the bridge. As a result, the bridge collapsed and caused the death of four people including a child. Six rescued people are seriously injured and they are in the ICU of a hospital,” Mr. Barne said.

An iron bridge over the Indrayani River connects the surrounding villages at Kundmala in Maval Taluka of Pune districts. According to the sources, more than 200 people were on the bridge when it collapsed around 3.30 pm. The tourists were seen trapped under the bridge in the videos on social media.

The senior official, who visited the spot, said that 200 to 300 citizens including tourists had turned up at the bridge, which is 2.5 to 3 feets wide, to see the whirlpools in the river during the monsoon recreation. “Two police constables were on duty to stop people from using the bridge, which is meant for the locals to cross the river, to see whirlpools. However, the people did not pay heed to the cops' instruction,” he said.

The PWD (public works department) had issued a tender for reconstruction of the bridge in the first week of this month.

Officials said that a total of 38 people have been rescued. Among them, 18 individuals were injured and were taken by ambulance to the hospitals, namely Pavana Hospital, Mimer Hospital and Atharva Hospital at Somatane Phata in Maval taluka. “Three deceased have been identified as Chandrakant Sathle and Rohit Mane and Vihan Mane.The identity of the fourth deceased has not been confirmed yet,” he said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he has directed all the concerned officials including divisional commissioner to oversee the relief and rescue operation. “My deepest condolences to their families. We share their grief in this difficult time. We stand with the bereaved families. I am in constant contact with the Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, CP, and Tehsildar. Some people got swept away, so a search operation is underway on a war footing to find them. Rescue operations are being done with full speed and efforts,” the chief minister said.Fadnavis also announced that the state government would provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased. “The government will also bear the cost for the medical treatment of the injured,” he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed sorrow over the tragic incident. “Deeply saddened by the tragic incident of the bridge collapse on the Indrayani River in Talegaon, Pune. Spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and inquired about the present situation on the ground. NDRF teams posted nearby quickly rushed to the site, joined the rescue operation, and saved several lives with remarkable promptness. Heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a post on X.