In the wake of the tragic collapse of an old bridge over the Indrayani River near Kundmala in Talegaon Dabhade, Maval Taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to conduct a structural audit of all old and potentially dangerous bridges across the state.
The bridge collapse occurred on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least two people, with 20 to 25 others feared to have been swept away by the river’s strong current. Terming the incident deeply shocking, Shinde expressed condolences to the bereaved families and instructed the administration to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured.
Upon receiving news of the disaster, the Deputy Chief Minister promptly contacted district officials and ordered intensified rescue efforts. He directed that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and ambulances be rushed to the spot to assist in the ongoing operations.
Shinde further emphasized the need for heightened readiness of emergency response systems, especially at tourist locations and during weekends and holidays when public footfall is higher. He urged the district administration to maintain a state of preparedness to respond swiftly to such emergencies.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of aging infrastructure in the state. In response, the Deputy CM’s directive for a comprehensive structural audit aims to identify and prevent future tragedies involving weakened bridges.
