A tragic incident occurred on Sunday, June 15, 2025, when a bridge over the Indrayani River near Talegaon Dabhade in Pune collapsed, resulting in the death of four people and injuries to over 50 others. The bridge, located near Kund Mala, a popular tourist destination, gave way under the weight of a large crowd. Following the incident, the District Collector announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased.
The collapse occurred around 3:30 PM when the decades-old bridge, which had already been declared unsafe and officially closed to the public, was crowded with over 100 people, including several two-wheelers. The structure, unable to bear the excessive load, crumbled, sending people plunging into the river below. Rescue operations were immediately launched, involving teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), local police, and the fire department.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed the deaths and injuries, stating that all the injured were admitted to various hospitals and were out of danger. He also announced the formation of a five-member committee to investigate the incident, examine potential administrative lapses, and recommend changes to safety protocols. The committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. The state government has also committed to covering the treatment costs for the injured. Fadnavis stated that the bridge had been declared dangerous by the district collector, and warning boards had been put up at the site. He also mentioned that a contract for a new bridge at the location had been awarded, and work was scheduled to begin soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Chief Minister Fadnavis to inquire about the incident and assured all possible assistance in relief measures.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar promised strict action against those responsible for the bridge collapse. He assured that an investigation would be initiated to determine the cause of the collapse and that appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty. Pawar also emphasized that all necessary help would be provided to the injured.
The incident has raised concerns about the maintenance and safety of bridges in the region. Local residents reported that the bridge was in dire need of repairs. It was revealed that the bridge, constructed over 30 years ago by the Public Works Department (PWD), had been handed over to the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) for maintenance. However, there was ambiguity regarding who was specifically responsible for the upkeep of the bridge.
Minister Girish Mahajan stated that the bridge was meant only for pedestrians and that people did not heed the instructions, leading to the incident. He also mentioned that the government had already allocated Rs 8 crore for the construction of a new bridge, but the work had not yet commenced due to the monsoon season.
The Pune district administration had imposed prohibitory orders at over 1,000 popular tourist sites until August 31, 2025, to ensure public safety during the monsoon. These orders included restrictions on entry to forts, monuments, waterfalls, and dams. However, despite these measures, the tragedy occurred, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better crowd management at tourist locations.
