Opposition leaders have sharply criticized the Maharashtra state government over the tragic collapse of a bridge on the Indrayani River in Pune’s Kundmala area on Sunday. The incident has left four people dead and 18 others seriously injured. The opposition has linked the tragedy to alleged corruption, with prominent leaders demanding accountability from the state leadership.
The controversy intensified following the revelation of a letter signed by former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Ravindra Chavan, approving a budget of just ₹80,000 for the bridge's development. The letter, dated July 11, 2024, was reportedly handed over to a BJP official and has become central to the growing political debate.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has directed the PWD to conduct a structural audit of all bridges across the state's road network. She also instructed that necessary repairs, maintenance, or reconstruction be undertaken wherever required. The directive came after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called Saunik on Sunday, urging immediate action. Acting on his instructions, Saunik convened a high-level meeting with senior officials at Mantralaya.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the government of corruption, alleging that the bridge collapse resulted from poor planning and financial mismanagement. He claimed that while ₹15 crore was originally requested for the development of the bridge and the Kundmala connecting road, only ₹8 crore was approved—and ultimately, a paltry ₹80,000 was allocated. “This incident is a clear example of corruption,” Raut said.
Raut also targeted key local leaders, including Pune district guardian minister Ajit Pawar and local MLA Sunil Shelke, accusing them of remaining silent after the incident. “The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry, but it is the government that should be under investigation,” he said. “This is not just an accident—it’s the consequence of corruption.”
Raut further referred to other controversies involving former minister Chavan, including the Rajkot Fort statue issue in Malvan, stating, “Wherever such tragedies occur, Ravindra Chavan’s name seems to come up.”
Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal echoed similar sentiments, questioning why the state government always acts after a tragedy. He criticized the government for allowing the dangerous bridge to remain open, especially during the monsoon season when it is frequented by tourists. “Why wasn’t the bridge replaced earlier, given that funds were approved a year ago?” Sapkal asked.
He also demanded that a case of culpable homicide be filed against the responsible officials, pointing out that the presence of a warning board failed to prevent the tragedy. “The negligence of the administration caused these deaths,” he said, referring to the four fatalities and six serious injuries. He criticized the government's compensation of ₹5 lakh to victims’ families as inadequate.
Sapkal dismissed Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s directive to audit bridges as mere tokenism. “Accidents happen, people die, and the government throws some money at them, then moves on,” he said.
PWD Minister’s Office Denies Allegations
The office of the PWD minister, Shivendra Raje Bhosale, refuted the opposition's claims. A PWD official clarified that the collapsed bridge falls under the jurisdiction of the Rural Development Department, as it was constructed by the Zilla Parishad. The official also said the letter cited by the opposition referred to a different bridge in the same area—not the one that collapsed.
Chief Secretary Orders Safety Measures and Structural Audits
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures at tourist spots, particularly during the monsoon season. She ordered that dangerous tourist spots be clearly marked with warning signs and temporarily closed until safety issues are addressed. Saunik also called for adequate security arrangements and said tourists ignoring safety warnings should face action.
She reviewed the bridge collapse situation and directed Pune division officials to take extra precautions at monsoon tourist spots. She also emphasized area-wise assignment of safety responsibilities and suggested enlisting support from the Home Guard and NCC (National Cadet Corps) to help enforce the new safety measures.
As the political blame game continues, Pune’s citizens await answers—while the victims’ families demand justice.
