The Congress party has demanded strict accountability following the collapse of a 32-year-old pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River in Pune's Maval tehsil on Sunday, June 15, 2025, which left four people dead and 18 seriously injured. The iron footbridge, already declared unsafe by local authorities, gave way amid heavy tourist crowding during the afternoon hours.

According to officials, over 100 people had gathered on the Kundamala bridge, a popular weekend spot, when the structure collapsed around 3:30 pm, plunging many into the rain-swollen river. The area has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past few days, causing the river to flow swiftly.

Congress Condemns Negligence and Calls for Action

Top leaders of the Congress party expressed deep sorrow and frustration over what they called an avoidable tragedy. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the bridge collapse was a deeply distressing incident and extended his condolences to the victims' families.

He lauded the efforts of rescue personnel working through adverse conditions to find the missing and assist the injured. However, Mr Kharge emphasised the need for accountability, questioning why the bridge, declared unsafe, was not cordoned off effectively.

Even as the state government cited tourist crowding as a key factor in the tragedy, Congress leaders insisted that systemic neglect and administrative failure must also be examined.

Rahul Gandhi and Pawan Khera Speak Out

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in a statement posted on social media, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called upon the administration to carry out relief and rescue operations with full urgency. He extended condolences to the families of those who died, and expressed hope for the safe return of those still missing.

Meanwhile, Congress media head Pawan Khera criticised the failure to prevent the disaster despite warnings. He called it a painful reminder of the cost of neglect, adding that public safety must never be an afterthought.

He praised the rescue teams for their unwavering commitment and reiterated the party’s call for accountability under the law for all those responsible.

Bridge Declared Unsafe But Left Open

Officials confirmed that the bridge had been marked unsafe earlier this year, and a signboard warning the public had been placed at the site. However, with no physical barriers or guards deployed, tourists ignored the warning, especially on a weekend with improved visibility following heavy rain.

The Kundamala footbridge, built over three decades ago, was known for its scenic views and had become a regular picnic and tourist location. The collapse has now drawn attention to the urgent need to reassess the condition of older infrastructure across the state, especially in tourist-heavy zones.

Government Response and Rescue Efforts

The district administration deployed teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for rescue operations. Local police and fire department units were also involved in retrieving survivors and recovering bodies from the river.

By late Sunday night, four deaths were confirmed, and 18 people were being treated for injuries in local hospitals. Several others were still missing, with rescue teams combing the river banks downstream.

Maharashtra government officials said an inquiry committee has been formed and an initial report is expected within 48 hours. Authorities also began an audit of all footbridges and older structures in tourist areas of Pune district.

Political Fallout and Demand for Structural Audit

The incident has sparked political backlash, with the Congress demanding not just accountability, but also a state-wide audit of public infrastructure, especially those structures marked as old, dilapidated, or unsafe.

Party leaders said the negligence by local bodies, combined with failure to restrict access, amounts to criminal lapse. Congress also demanded that the state government publish the maintenance and safety records of the bridge and other similar structures open to public use.

Local residents echoed these concerns, alleging that despite being a known hazard, the bridge continued to be accessible due to poor enforcement and lack of coordination between municipal authorities and tourism departments

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