A serene Sunday afternoon turned tragic as a decades-old footbridge collapsed in Maharashtra’s Pune district, plunging more than 100 people into the swirling Indrayani River. Survivors describe the moment as nothing short of a miracle — or a rebirth.
A Normal Day That Ended in Screams
What began as a casual weekend stroll ended in chaos. Around 3:15 PM on Sunday, the old pedestrian bridge over the River Indrayani near Talegaon crumbled without warning.
In seconds, people walking across — some families, others groups of young locals — were tumbling into the river. Panic followed. Screams. Shouts. Splashing. Then silence, broken only by cries for help.
Witnesses say the bridge was packed. Some estimates put the crowd at 150, maybe more. And when it gave way? Over 50 were standing exactly where it snapped.
“It Was Like the Ground Gave Way Under Our Feet”
Swapnil Kollam was on that bridge with his family.
“There were more than 150–200 people, but where it collapsed, over 50 of us were packed close,” he said, still shaking hours later. “It’s God’s grace that my family is alive. Honestly, we saw death.”
His cousin Nikhil, who was on the bank, described it in simpler terms.
“The bridge just disappeared. Like it vanished,” he said. “I thought I was watching people drown. But somehow… somehow many made it.”
For Nikhil, this wasn’t just a lucky escape. “It’s Lord Ram’s grace. Today is my rebirth,” he said, holding back tears.
Broken Infrastructure, Broken Trust
The bridge — a narrow, aging structure — had been in use for years. Locals had long complained about its poor maintenance. But like so many things in India, it was just… accepted.
And now, four are dead. Fifty-one more are hurt, some critically. The victims include women and children. Many still can’t comprehend what happened.
Rescue efforts were swift, but the damage was already done.
What We Know So Far:
-
The bridge collapsed around 3:15 PM.
-
Over 150 people were estimated to be on it.
-
4 confirmed dead.
-
51 people injured.
-
Many victims were from Talegaon and nearby areas.
Administration Wakes Up Late
In classic fashion, it took a tragedy to prompt official action. The Pune District Administration announced a probe just hours after the incident. A committee will look into “possible lapses” — a phrase that’s lost meaning over the years.
A senior official, speaking anonymously, admitted that the bridge had been marked for structural checks last year, but “lower-priority status” kept pushing it down the list.
Here’s a quick snapshot of other bridges in Pune that have been flagged in the past five years:
| Bridge Name | Location | Last Inspection | Status | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kundmala Bridge | Near Bhaje Caves | April 2023 | Weak Structure | None |
| Indrayani Footbridge | Talegaon | March 2022 | Poor Condition | Pending |
| Paud Road Bridge | Kothrud | October 2021 | Requires Repair | Partial Work |
Just last month, a minor report warned about the increasing load on pedestrian infrastructure in semi-urban parts of Pune. No one blinked.
A River That Has Seen Too Much
The Indrayani River is not new to tragedy. Over the years, multiple people have drowned during monsoon overflows. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken to regulate foot traffic or restrict access to vulnerable zones.
Locals claim the bridge was often overcrowded during weekends. “Everyone comes here to walk, take photos, or just cool off. But there’s no one monitoring how many people get on that bridge,” said Ramesh Jadhav, a shopkeeper near the site.
One sentence says it all: “It was a disaster waiting to happen.”
And yet, nothing changed.
Rescue Was Fast, But Questions Are Faster
Credit where it’s due — NDRF teams, fire department personnel, and police responded in under 30 minutes. Divers were deployed. Bodies were recovered. Survivors were treated on-site and rushed to hospitals.
But what now? Will anyone be held accountable?
Officials from the Public Works Department were tight-lipped Monday morning. Some hinted that funding delays played a role. Others pointed fingers at bureaucratic backlog.
Meanwhile, survivors and their families are still in shock. One woman, Sunita More, said her 10-year-old son was nearly lost. “He slipped from my hand. I thought I’d lost him. But someone pulled him out,” she sobbed. “Tell me, why was that bridge still open?”
Politics, Predictably, Joins In
As news spread, so did political blame games. Local opposition leaders accused the state government of “criminal negligence.” Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tweeted his condolences and promised swift action — the kind often promised and rarely seen through.
Some politicians even arrived at the site for photo-ops. One was heckled by angry locals.
The incident is likely to become a political flashpoint, especially with civic polls due later this year in Pune district.
