Set at mere 65 km distance from Pune, people from Kachre Vasti in Ghisar in Velhe taluka in Pune district are risking their lives daily by crossing a collapsing wooden bridge over the turbulent Kanandi River.
With monsoon rains swelling the river and drains, the lone wooden bridge—long slated for replacement—has become a major hazard. Children, pregnant women, and the sick traverse it at great personal risk.
This comes just days after Pune district administration conducted an audit of the bridges in the district, which revealed 58 bridges in dangerous condition. The audit was conducted after the Kundamala bridge collapse tragedy. Now, the villagers say that this bridge can also lead to another tragedy like this, and the administration is waiting for it.
“We’ve been demanding an iron bridge for years. Officials only give assurances. A serious accident is inevitable,” said, a villager, Raghunath Kachre.
“Will the administration act only after lives are lost?” asked Kachare, referring to recent tragedies.
"Just two days ago, Kondiba Margale from Vegre village in Mulshi drowned while crossing a river. Yet another name added to the growing list of avoidable deaths in the region. The bridge is 10 years old, and since 2021 we have been constantly following up with authorities and sending them letters to construct a bridge. But nothing has been done in this regard. We have to walk 7 km and then cross the bridge to get rations," he said.
"The wooden bridge is weak and could collapse at any time. If that happens while someone is crossing, especially during flooding, it could lead to a fatal accident," added Kachare.
The locals are demanding that at least a temporary iron bridge be installed during the monsoon and a permanent concrete bridge be built afterward. Despite repeated requests over the years, authorities and elected representatives have not done anything. Locals say their demands are being consistently ignored, and they feel abandoned by those in power.
Just a few days ago, in nearby Wegre village, Kondiba Margale from a Dhangar settlement tragically drowned crossing a similar bridge, yet villagers say the administration remains silent.
Locals are now demanding the old structure be dismantled immediately and a durable iron bridge installed. They warn that if disaster strikes, authorities will be held accountable.
However, speaking with the Free Press Journal, Deputy Collector Mahesh Harishchandre said, "There is one bridge in the village; however, this collapsible bridge is near for the residents of Kachre Vasti, and that is why they use it. If they have to use the new bridge, they have to walk 1.5 to 2 km more, and that is why they avoid it. After the video of the villagers using that collapsible bridge, we have asked the Public Works Department to close the bridge."
