Congress Demands Accountability After Pune Bridge Collapse
On June 15, a 32‑year‑old iron footbridge over the Indrayani River at Kundmala in Pune’s Maval tehsil catastrophically collapsed around 3:30 PM, plunging over 100 people into the swollen river. Initial reports confirm at least four deaths and more than fifty injuries. Rescue operations—including NDRF teams, police, fire services, and local volunteers—swiftly evacuated tourists and commuters in distress.
Cause and warnings ignored
The narrowly built pedestrian bridge, in service for over three decades, was officially declared unsafe in 2023. Closure orders had been issued, but the structure remained accessible and severely overcrowded, with an estimated 150–200 people on it at the time. Witnesses recalled the bridge “snapping beneath us,” sending dozens of individuals into the raging waters. Partial repair work had been sanctioned six months earlier but never executed before the onset of the monsoon season.
Political backlash and demand for action
The Congress Party condemned the collapse as a “deeply distressing and avoidable tragedy,” demanding an immediate legal probe to hold responsible officials accountable. Party leaders asserted that public safety warnings had been ignored, branding this as a clear case of negligence. A call was also made for nationwide safety audits of infrastructure, particularly before monsoon periods, with demands that families of victims receive fair compensation.
Government response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed profound regret over the incident and has instituted a state-wide structural audit of all river bridges. Compensation of ₹5 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased, and injured persons will receive full medical support. A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted, and urgent repair work has been ordered. Authorities have also pledged legal action against those found negligent.
