Finance
In its preliminary report to the Maharashtra government, the Pune district administration verified four deaths and 51 injuries when a 33-year-old iron bridge connecting surrounding villages across the Indrayani river collapsed on Sunday.
The event occurred about 3:30 p.m., when approximately 125 visitors gathered in Kundmala in Maval tehsil, Pune district, for a monsoon expedition.
Three of the four deceased victims have been identified, and one remains unidentified.
The injured are being treated at several hospitals.
A total of 55 people were rescued, of whom four died.
The deceased’s names include Chandrakant Sathale, Rohit Mane, and Vihan Mane (identified), with one yet unidentified.
Relief and rescue efforts, which were halted on Sunday night due to heavy rains, resumed on Monday morning.
The relief and rescue operation was overseen by Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan in the presence of local administration, as well as two teams of NDRF, Pimpri-Chinchwad police, CRPF personnel, and several social and non-governmental organisations.
Minister Mahajan paid a visit to Talegaon General Hospital, where the injured were being treated, and inquired about their well-being.
“The government will provide Rs 5 lakh to the relatives of the deceased and the entire cost of the treatment of the injured will be borne by the government.”
He appealed to the tourists to take due care visiting tourist places and also not to indulge in adventure tourism or hooliganism.
The State Minister for Rehabilitation Makarand Patil, who along with the Maval legislator Sunil Shelke, after visiting the spot said, “The bridge was more than 30-year-old and it was constructed by the Pune Zilla Parishad. The administration had displayed boards at both sides urging people not to use it, but it was used by some who had come on a rainy day to enjoy. It is unfortunate that the incident occurred. The administration is engaged in rescue and relief works. The state disaster management Minister Girish Mahajan, who had been at the spot, has already announced that the state government will pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the heirs of the families of the deceased.”
According to the Pune district administration the work on Kundamala bridge began in 1990 and it was thrown open for use in 1993.
However, in 2023, the administration discovered that the bridge was in disrepair after nearly 30 years of service and ordered that it not be used again.
The administration has recommended the construction of a new bridge for Rs 8 crore.
The Public Works Department has issued a tender and a work order, with the work scheduled to begin after the rains.
Source: IANS
