4 killed as ‘unsafe’ bridge collapses at tourist spot in Pune district

At least four persons, including a child, were killed and 38 others suffered injuries after an allegedly unsafe iron bridge over a river collapsed Sunday at a popular tourist spot in Maharashtra’s Pune district.

The structure at Kundamala in Maval taluka gave way under the weight of scores of weekend tourists, plunging many into the Indrayani river swollen by days of heavy rain.Rescue teams were conducting searches for people who were reported missing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who condoled the deaths.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the iron bridge had rusted and promised to act against those responsible for the lack of upkeep.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to CM Fadnavis.

District Collector Jitendra Dudi said: “Six suffered serious injuries but their condition is stable. Some are reported to be missing as per the local villagers’ account.”

The district administration said search operations led by the NDRF will continue through the night. “We will continue the search till we find the last body. But we don’t expect any more to be found,” the collector said.

The district disaster management authority said there were around 100 people on the bridge when the accident happened at 4 pm Sunday. Eyewitnesses estimated that the number was higher.

Officials and residents said the iron bridge, which was built around 1995, had become dangerous for use.

“The bridge had become weak. The Dehu Road Cantonment Board and police have put up boards in the area and near the entry to the bridge about the danger it poses. But tourists do not heed the advice. They throng the bridge, especially during monsoon, for taking selfies and making videos,” said Balasaheb Shelar, a BJP leader and resident of the nearby Shelarmala village.

The bridge connects Shelarmala with Kundamala village.

Residents said local police visit the area on Saturdays and Sundays to warn the tourists from entering the bridge. “But once police leave, tourists make their way here from different points. There is no permanent police presence here,” said another resident, Anil Shelar.

Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikar Mahavarkar said: “The area is under the Dehu Road Cantonment board… It is not feasible to post policemen on both sides of the bridge every day. The cantonment board and police have put up boards warning tourists to stay away from the bridge.”

Asked about the condition of the bridge, the district collector said: “We have decided to set up a five-member committee to find out whether the structural audit of the bridge was done. We will also find out whether the bridge was declared unsafe.”

Maval MP Shrirang Barne (Shiv Sena) blamed the local administration, including police. “I held a meeting and told them that during monsoon heavy rush of tourists happens at Kundamala and they should take all precautions.”

Collector Judi denied that his administration had not taken adequate steps to stop overcrowding. “’We had imposed prohibitory orders at major tourist spots. Though Kundamala was not mentioned by name, our order clearly mentions that tourists should stay away from all waterfalls and water related spots,” he said.

Barne and Judi said a new bridge was sanctioned last year and its work order was issued on June 10.

Being a Sunday, many people had travelled from nearby cities such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to witness the rapids and river bed rock formations at Kundamala. At this spot, the Indrayani river breaks into small waterfalls as well as whirlpools, especially during the monsoon.

As tourists crammed into the bridge, taking videos and clicking pictures, eyewitnesses say two-wheeler riders also tried to squeeze past, sparking arguments.

It was at this moment that the middle of the structure collapsed into the Indrayani river.

Local residents said they were the first to come to the rescue of drowning and injured tourists. District Collector Judi said the NDRF, the fire brigade and other officials reached the spot within 15 minutes.

Advocate Nilesh Kolam, who suffered minor injuries in the collapse, said: “I must have been on the bridge for 10-15 minutes. There was a huge rush. I think at least 200 people had jammed the bridge. There were also some two-wheelers trying to get through the surging crowd… When the bridge suddenly collapsed, at least 50 people fell on each other. Some were swept away by the strong current of the water.”

Kolam added: “When the bridge got overcrowded, the middle portion collapsed suddenly. Local villagers rushed in and saved some of the tourists. I myself pulled out two tourists. I saw at least four people being swept away by the strong current.”

Raghuvir Shelar, the corporator from Shelarwadi, said that over 150 people were on the bridge when it collapsed. “There was a notice pasted on both ends of the bridge which prohibited the entry of two-wheelers but no one heeded it. The situation was so grave that protective grills were installed on the bridge around 10 days back,” he said.

Chandrakant Waghmare, the additional CEO of the Pune Zilla Parishad said it was unclear who was responsible for the upkeep of the bridge. “But action will be taken,” he said.