Pune, June 15, 2025 — A Sunday afternoon that began like any other turned into a nightmare for dozens of families as a footbridge near Kundmala in Maval, Pune, collapsed into the swollen Indrayani River, leaving four dead, including a child, and over 50 injured.
What Happened?
Around 3:30 PM, dozens of people — mostly tourists enjoying the monsoon view — were walking across the 30-year-old iron footbridge. Some were clicking selfies, others were crossing on foot or even on two-wheelers, despite clear warnings that the bridge was meant only for pedestrians.
Suddenly, the bridge began to shake. Witnesses say it wobbled for a few minutes before a section gave way. In an instant, people plunged into the fast-flowing river below. Panic followed, with cries for help echoing through the valley.
Locals rushed in immediately, trying to pull people out of the water. Within minutes, teams from the NDRF, police, fire brigade, and disaster volunteers reached the site. More than 50 people were rescued, some pulled out by ropes, others from under collapsed debris. Unfortunately, four lives were lost, including a 5-year-old child.
Why Did It Collapse?
This wasn’t entirely unexpected. The bridge, built decades ago, had been showing signs of rust and structural decay. Authorities had already warned people against crossing it during the monsoon and had even put up signs banning vehicle access. Yet, the warnings were ignored — and no strict monitoring was in place.
Officials revealed that a new concrete bridge worth ₹8 crore had already been sanctioned, but construction was delayed due to monsoon conditions.
Government Response
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar expressed deep grief and announced a ₹5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and full medical support for the injured. He also promised swift action to improve infrastructure and prevent such incidents in the future.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers that lie in ignoring safety warnings and the urgent need for regular maintenance of public infrastructure. What was meant to be a joyful outing turned into a lifelong scar for many families — and could have been prevented.