Pune, 16 June 2025: A major tragedy struck the Maval region on Sunday when an old iron bridge over the Indrayani river near Kundmala village collapsed amid heavy rainfall, sweeping away at least 40 people. Rescue operations are underway but the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed. Several people are feared dead, and frantic search efforts continue even as adverse weather hampers relief work.Raj Thackeray also called on citizens to exercise caution and avoid visiting such risky spots, especially during the monsoon. “This doesn’t absolve the government, but people must also act responsibly to prevent further loss of life,” he added.
According to local sources, the collapsed bridge was decades old and declared dangerous. Shockingly, despite ₹8 crore reportedly sanctioned for its repairs or reconstruction, no significant work was carried out. An official letter related to the sanctioned funds has now gone viral, sparking allegations of negligence and corruption in bridge maintenance.
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut lashed out at the state government, questioning whether ministers are asleep while signing off on important papers or deliberately misleading the public. “This is Fadnavis’ government, such disasters are bound to happen under his watch,” Raut said, blaming the administration’s casual approach for the loss of innocent lives. According to him only ₹80000 sanctioned for bridge constructions.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Offering heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, he raised pointed questions about the government’s preparedness. “Every time, after such tragedies, the government issues the same statement, ‘Rescue work is on, the government stands firmly behind the affected families.’ But why do we reach this stage in the first place? Don’t departments inspect old, risky bridges before monsoon?” he asked in a strongly worded statement.
Raj Thackeray also called on citizens to exercise caution and avoid visiting such risky spots, especially during the monsoon. “This doesn’t absolve the government, but people must also act responsibly to prevent further loss of life,” he added.
Locals in Kundmala and nearby villages have alleged that repeated complaints about the bridge’s poor condition were ignored by the authorities. Many demanded that strict action be taken against officials responsible for the delay and misuse of sanctioned funds.
As the monsoon intensifies across Maharashtra, similar incidents of waterlogging, road damage, and weakened bridges have been reported in multiple cities. Citizens have urged the state to work on a war footing to avert further disasters.
