In the wake of the tragic Indrayani river bridge collapse that claimed four lives and injured 32 others, Maharashtra’s Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale has directed officials to conduct a structural audit of all state-owned bridges, culverts, and buildings that are over 25 years old. He also instructed the PWD officers to submit the audit report at the earliest.
Highlighting forecasts of heavier-than-usual rainfall this monsoon season, Minister Bhosale emphasised the need for immediate action. He said that if any structure is found to be unsafe, traffic on that route must be suspended and alternative routes should be made available without delay. He also stressed the need for permanent, immovable barricades at such locations and directed that local police and gram panchayats be informed of potential risks. Danger signs in bold lettering should be installed, and unused bridges on highways must be sealed off with barricades.
Minister Bhosale also directed the department to ensure that all roads remain pothole-free, especially on key routes like the Mumbai–Goa National Highway. He urged that maintenance work—including pothole repairs and strengthening of diversion routes—be completed before the Ganesh festival season, when a large number of people travel to Konkan. The National Highway Authority has been asked to ensure smooth traffic flow and to submit a proposal for an alternative bridge at Parshuram Ghat.
He further instructed that proper diversion roads be developed according to regulations and that traffic be allowed on the main road only after diversion routes are fully operational. Safety nets should be installed and maintained on ghat roads, and emergency response systems must be in place to handle landslides and other disruptions.
Regarding the upcoming Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage for Ashadi Ekadashi, Minister Bhosale directed officials to prioritize safety. He called for immediate repairs to railings on bridges and culverts along the Wari route, and ordered comprehensive inspections of all such structures. He stressed that all safety-related works along the route must be completed in time, and the route should be kept entirely safe. He also encouraged officials to make effective use of a dedicated pothole-reporting mobile app introduced by the department.
The meeting was attended by Construction Secretary Sanjay Deshpande, along with all Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, and Executive Engineers from across the state via video conferencing.
Similarly, On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had asked Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to initiate a comprehensive audit of bridges across the state. Saunik convened a high-level meeting the following day and instructed the PWD to act swiftly.
After allegations of UBT MP Sanjay Raut and Congress state President Harshwardhan Sapkal, Senior BJP leader and former minister Mr. Chavan has announced that the Maharashtra government has granted administrative approval for Rs 8 crore towards the construction of a new bridge across the Kundmala River, including an adjoining access road. The allocation was sanctioned in the supplementary budget of July 2024. Following the administrative approval, the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections came into effect, temporarily halting the project. During this period, all necessary technical formalities were completed and the bridge design was finalised.
Chavan acknowledged the efforts of BJP’s Maval Taluka President Ravindra Bhegade, who consistently pursued the project in the interest of local farmers and the general public. As a result of this follow-up, a letter granting administrative approval for the 8 crore bridge project was issued on July 11, 2024.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has already issued a work commencement order, and contractors were instructed to complete the construction within one year. However, Chavan raised concerns that the subsequent phases of the project may have been deliberately delayed.
“If there has been any intentional delay in the further proceedings, it will be investigated thoroughly, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” Chavan asserted.
