Pune Bridge Collapse: Overcrowding, Ignored Warnings or Poor Structure - What Caused the Indrayani River Tragedy?

A quiet Sunday afternoon turned into a scene of horror near Kund Mala , a scenic spot 40 km from Pune, when an old pedestrian bridge collapsed, killing four people - including a five-year-old boy - and injuring over 50 others. One person is still missing. But this wasn’t just an unfortunate accident. It was a disaster waiting to happen - triggered by years of neglect, ignored warnings and administrative apathy.

A Bridge Marked Unsafe Still in Use

The footbridge over the Indrayani River had long been declared unsafe and was officially closed. Despite this, crowds continued using it, drawn by the picturesque location and unaware - or unconcerned - about the risks. On Sunday, around 3:30 PM, the bridge gave way under the weight of over 100 people and several two-wheelers. A signboard warning against entry had been placed, but it was largely ignored.


Maharashtra’s water resources and disaster management minister Girish Mahajan confirmed, “A crowd of (100+) people on the bridge at the time of the incident was beyond its carrying capacity, following which it collapsed as a large number of tourists had come here to enjoy their holiday. A signboard telling people not to enter this structure was also installed, but they still went there.”

Warnings Raised, Yet Unheeded

Only hours before the collapse, a concerned resident had alerted police about the overcrowding. Officers did arrive and momentarily dispersed the crowd - but left soon after. Without any barricades or security in place, people returned, and the bridge - already trembling under pressure - finally collapsed. Eyewitnesses said it shook for nearly five minutes before crumbling, sending people and bikes plunging into the river below.


Survivor Umakant Dalvi recalled, “There was no space. It was crowded, and there were some bikes on it. The situation worsened quickly.”

A History of Neglect

Built over 30 years ago, the bridge was maintained by the Pune Zilla Parishad after being handed over by the Public Works Department. Villagers and the local sarpanch had flagged its poor condition multiple times. Though a new bridge had been sanctioned with an approved budget of ₹8 crore, construction hadn’t even started. The lack of a proper structural audit, despite repeated requests from locals, added to the already dangerous scenario.


Despite BJP minister Ravindra Chavan allocating ₹80,000 for minor repairs, the funds were never used. NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar echoed the larger issue, saying, “But unfortunately, it could not be done. There are many such bridges that are old, some date back to 100 years, from the colonial era, in entire Maharashtra and their situation is also dilapidated…”

Rescue Efforts and Accountability

The rescue mission, involving NDRF, police, fire brigade and emergency teams, lasted late into the night. Two bodies had to be retrieved using cranes from the debris. Search efforts for the missing person resumed on Monday morning.


A five-member inquiry committee has been formed by the district collector to investigate the administrative failures and suggest future safety protocols. Minister Mahajan also said, “The bridge was not guarded despite clear orders,” and called for strict action against any erring police officials.

The state government has announced ₹5 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and has assured full medical support to the injured.

A Preventable Tragedy

This was no natural disaster - it was the result of repeated oversight, ignored alerts, and administrative silence. What happened in Pune is a grim reminder of how public safety can be pushed aside until lives are lost. And unless lessons are urgently learnt, the cracks in the system may claim even more lives.