Rescue Operations Conclude at Kundmala Bridge Collapse Site
Rescue Efforts Wrap Up
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) announced on Monday that the rescue operations at the Kundmala bridge collapse site have been completed, as all missing individuals have been accounted for. Authorities confirmed that four fatalities have been reported, with two bodies recovered from the scene.
Prime Minister Modi Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently in Cyprus, reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the incident. Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and assured support for relief efforts. The collapsed bridge was frequently used by tourists to cross the river or take photographs. Officials suspect that the structure may have collapsed under the weight of the crowd over the weekend. In light of the incident's severity, NDRF teams and Pimpri-Chinchwad police officials were dispatched to the site.
Prohibition Order Issued
Earlier this month, Pune's district collector Jitendra Dudi issued a prohibition order restricting tourists from visiting water bodies and certain natural sites due to safety concerns amid the intensifying monsoon. The incident occurred near Kundmala, approximately 30 kilometers from Pune, a popular tourist destination known for its natural sinkholes, valleys, and unique rock formations.
Maintenance Responsibility in Question
Following the bridge's collapse, confusion arose regarding who was responsible for its maintenance, as the structure was over three decades old. Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan acknowledged on Sunday that tenders had been issued for the construction of a new bridge, but the work had been delayed due to rain. He stated, "The bridge was built in 1992, and a tender of 7-8 crore rupees for the new bridge was approved, but implementation has been postponed due to the rains." Chandrakant Waghmare, additional chief executive officer of the Pune district council, admitted uncertainty regarding the maintenance responsibilities of the bridge.