Pune, 17 June 2025: The tragic collapse of the Kundmala bridge on the Indrayani river in Maval taluka has claimed four lives and left 51 tourists injured, but even two days later, uncertainty looms large over which department was responsible for the bridge’s maintenance and safety. Both the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Zilla Parishad have firmly distanced themselves from any link to the collapsed structure.
When questioned, Hemant Kumar Chougule, Executive Engineer of the Zilla Parishad’s Construction Department, gave clarification that such large bridges are not undertaken by the Zilla Parishad. He further added that an inspection at the site and verification of records at the Induri Gram Panchayat revealed no mention of this bridge in their property register.
Similarly, Pune District Superintendent Engineer Bappa Bahir stated that the bridge was not constructed by the Public Works Department either. This conflicting information has deepened the mystery around the bridge’s custody, leaving citizens shocked at how a vital link could fall outside the responsibility of any government body.
Interestingly, the four-kilometre village road leading to Kundmala was built by the Zilla Parishad, but the bridge itself remains unregistered under any local body’s records. Sources indicate that the bridge was built around thirty years ago using funds from a Member of Parliament’s development scheme.
Minor repairs worth around ten lakh rupees were reportedly carried out about a decade ago, but no clear record exists about which department was tasked with its upkeep.
Adding to the chaos, it has come to light that the construction of a new bridge next to the old one was approved last year. Orders for starting work were issued, but local political disputes stalled the project, leaving the unsafe bridge in use despite clear warnings and a notice board declaring it dangerous.
A committee headed by Additional District Collector Suhas Mapari has now been appointed to investigate the accident and trace the exact custodian of the bridge. District Collector Jitendra Dudi assured that strict action will follow once the responsibility is established.
