Government delays in bridge building and safety procedures are criticized after the Kundamala bridge collapse in Pune, which left four people dead and fifty injured.
Pune Bridge Collapse: Bureaucratic Delay in Work Order Under Scrutiny
The opposition has blasted the government for its tardiness in building a new bridge, claiming that the deaths were caused by the collapse of the dilapidated Kundamala pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani river in Pune on Sunday after it was overcrowded with tourists. Fifty people were hurt and four people died in the tragedy.
Even though the bridge has been dangerous for a number of years, the government didn’t allocate ₹8 crore until July 2024, just before the assembly elections. Furthermore, the public works department (PWD) issued a work order barely five days ago following the commencement of the monsoon, despite the fact that the procurement process was initiated in October 2024.
PWD officials defended their position by saying that “certain” technical difficulties and the application of the model code of conduct were to blame for the bridge’s delay. According to local BJP politician Ravindra Bhegade, the contractors probably encountered procedural difficulties because of military constraints in the region.
Bhegade claimed to have been investigating the issue for the last three years when approached. “Approval for a new bridge was not granted earlier because there was not much traffic in the area, but in 2022, I wrote to the PWD once more because the old bridge became dangerous for pedestrians,” he added. “I received a letter from the then-PWD minister, Ravindra Chavan, informing me that my demand had finally been approved in July 2024.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut uploaded a copy of the letter on social media, and Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) politicians exhibited it to further express their disapproval. NCP (SP) general secretary Sunil Mane criticized the Mahayuti administration and PWD for the delay and questioned the work order’s timeliness.
“After the monsoon starts, who starts construction on a new bridge?” he said. It demonstrates the PWD department’s insensitivity as well as its sluggishness and ignorance. The accident and fatalities are the fault of PWD and the state government. The reason for the work order’s delay should be investigated.
Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister, declined to respond to Raut’s accusations. He called the incident “unfortunate” and stated that the district collector had warned people not to use the bridge since it was now unsafe. He said, “There, local villagers also erected boards.” Sadly, though, the visitors paid little notice.
I have immediately instructed the administration to increase security at these locations. Sujata Saunik, the chief secretary, has also been requested by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde to inspect all of the state’s historic and risky bridges.
When contacted, D H Darade, deputy engineer of the PWD, Pune North, reaffirmed that the work could not start right away because of “technical” concerns, the model code of behavior, and “local demands.” “The construction will start after the monsoon ends now that the work order is in place,” he stated.
In contrast to the earlier structure, which was designed only for pedestrian use, the proposed bridge is intended to support automotive traffic. In the upcoming weeks, an updated construction schedule is anticipated to be revealed.
Late on Sunday evening, the district government formally canceled the rescue effort. “We have not received any complaints regarding missing persons,” stated Maval’s tahsildar, Vikram Deshmukh. “Everyone who was saved or hurt has been sent to the hospital to receive care. However, our staff will keep an eye on the issue as a precaution.
The fourth victim, Chetan Annappa Chavare (23), a resident of Indrayani Colony, Talegaon Dabhade, was identified by the Pimpri-Chinchwad police after they had first had trouble identifying him. Vihan Mane, Rohit Mane, and Chandrakant Sathale are the other three victims.
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