Photo Credit: ANI
A routine Sunday turned into a nightmare in Maharashtra’s Pune district when a footbridge over the Indrayani River at Kundamala collapsed, killing two and sweeping away more than 30 people into the swollen waters. The tragic incident occurred around 3:30 PM, shaking the usually calm temple town of Dehu, just days ahead of the annual Sant Tukaram palkhi yatra.
Bridge Gives Way Under Heavy Crowd
According to eyewitnesses, the old iron bridge, which connects two ghats near the Indrayani River, was overwhelmed by a large number of tourists and devotees. Some were even riding two-wheelers over the bridge, despite its weak structure and warnings issued in earlier seasons. The excessive weight and steady rainfall from the past week are believed to have contributed to the collapse.
Panic ensued as the bridge snapped without warning, throwing dozens into the fierce current of the Indrayani. Local shopkeepers and residents were the first to alert authorities, and rescue operations were launched within the hour.
Rescue Operations Underway, 2 Dead Confirmed
A massive rescue mission has been launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigade, local police, and volunteers. Two deaths have been confirmed so far, while more than 30 individuals are reported to have been swept away by the river. At least 32 people have been rescued with injuries, several of whom are in critical condition.
Emergency teams are using boats, drones, divers, and sniffer dogs to trace those missing. The Indrayani, already flowing above danger levels, has significantly hampered search efforts.
CM Fadnavis and PM Modi Respond
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the site and confirmed the initial casualty figures. “It’s a tragic and painful incident. Our teams are doing everything possible to trace the missing and support the affected families,” he said.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar pointed out that the bridge was over three decades old and structurally weakened, describing it as “rusted and fragile.” He announced the construction of a new bridge and called for urgent safety audits of all pedestrian and tourist bridges across the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on an international visit, has also expressed condolences and directed central agencies to provide assistance. The Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
Kundamala Bridge Was a Disaster Waiting to Happen
Kundamala, situated near the pilgrimage town of Dehu, is a scenic location that draws hundreds of tourists and pilgrims during the monsoon season. Despite its popularity, the iron footbridge was never reinforced or upgraded. It had long shown signs of deterioration, with local residents frequently raising concerns about its safety.
Locals say that the crowd on Sunday was unusually large due to the pre-yatra weekend rush. What added to the tragedy was the absence of police barricading, load limits, or crowd management at the site.
A Grim Reminder of Infrastructure Neglect
The Pune bridge collapse over the Indrayani River has once again highlighted the systemic neglect of aging public infrastructure in India. Just two years ago, the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat claimed over 140 lives under eerily similar circumstances—an overburdened old bridge, ignored warnings, and a tragic loss of life.
In the case of Kundamala, despite being a known high-footfall area, no maintenance or preventive closure was carried out. Residents claim that local authorities had previously been alerted about the condition of the bridge, but no action was taken.
Safety Audit and Accountability Promised
Following the incident, Chief Minister Fadnavis has ordered a safety audit of all bridges in Pune and neighbouring districts, especially those near rivers and pilgrimage routes. He also instructed district officials to implement stricter crowd control during the upcoming Sant Tukaram Palkhi procession. The government has assured that an official inquiry will determine accountability, including whether local administrative failures contributed to the tragedy.
