Pune Bridge Collapse: CM Fadnavis says it was already declared unsafe before tragedy

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the iron pedestrian bridge on the Indrayani River in Pune that collapsed, killing four persons, had been declared dangerous by the district collector, and warning boards had been put up at the site.

Talking to reporters at an event in Palghar, Fadnavis said the contract for a new bridge at the site in Maval tehsil had been awarded and work has begun.

Four people died, and 18 were seriously injured when a 32-year-old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River in Maval tehsil collapsed on Sunday afternoon due to overcrowding by tourists.

He said that the structure had been declared dangerous by the district collector before the incident, and villagers had also placed warning boards.

Tourists might not have been aware of the severity of the bridge’s condition, he said.

The CM said the administration had identified 500 dangerous locations, including bridges and water bodies, across Pune district for the monsoon. “Notifications have been issued, and at some places, police are posted while villagers are also involved in cautioning people. We have to handle this with much more caution,” he said, adding that he has instructed the district collector to implement safety measures at these vulnerable tourist spots.

Fadnavis also took part in welcoming students on their first day of the new academic year at the Zilla Parishad school in Durvesh. He highlighted the government’s holistic approach to student welfare, which includes providing free uniforms and mid-day meals.

India