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Tragedy Over Troubled Waters: Pune Bridge Collapses, Claims Lives and Sparks Nationwide Outcry
Updated: June 16, 2025 | Pune, India
In a heart-wrenching and horrifying turn of events, a newly constructed bridge over the Mula-Mutha river in Pune collapsed on the early morning of June 16, 2025, leading to multiple fatalities, injuries, and a wave of national outrage. The incident occurred around 5:45 AM, just as the city’s early commuters, joggers, and workers began their day.
Initial Reports Confirm Casualties and Survivors
As per early estimates from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Disaster Management Department, at least 12 people have lost their lives, while over 35 others have sustained serious injuries. Rescue efforts are still underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, fire brigade, and citizen volunteers working tirelessly through the wreckage.
Eye-witnesses describe a loud cracking sound moments before the structure gave way, followed by a terrifying plunge into the river below. "I heard what sounded like thunder and saw the entire middle section of the bridge crumble like cardboard," said Ramesh Kulkarni, a nearby tea vendor. "There were bikes, cars, and even a PMPML bus that went down within seconds."
New Bridge, Old Negligence?
What has sent shockwaves across the nation is that the bridge was inaugurated less than 18 months ago, with much fanfare. Touted as a "smart infrastructure" project under Pune's urban mobility initiative, the bridge was constructed by a joint venture between a reputed civil engineering firm and local contractors, at a cost exceeding ₹110 crore.
Now, serious questions are being raised about the quality of materials used, the construction oversight, and the possible role of corruption and negligence. Opposition leaders wasted no time in calling out the state administration for what they called “murder by misgovernance.”
Chief Minister Responds, Inquiry Ordered
Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who rushed to Pune upon hearing of the incident, has ordered a high-level judicial inquiry into the collapse. Addressing the media at Sassoon Hospital, where many of the injured are being treated, he said:
"This is an unforgivable lapse. Accountability will be fixed, and those responsible — whether officials or contractors — will face the strictest possible action."
He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured.
Rescue Operations Continue Amid Chaos
As of 6 PM today, divers from the Navy and local fishermen groups have joined the search for people feared drowned in the murky waters. Cranes and earth-moving machines are being used to lift collapsed concrete slabs, and drones have been deployed to scan the area from above.
Traffic has been rerouted from the entire Kalyani Nagar-Koregaon Park belt, causing severe congestion and chaos in surrounding areas. Police have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and keep emergency routes clear.
Voices from the Ground
The emotional toll is visible in every corner of the city today. Hospitals overflow with anxious relatives, social media is abuzz with condolence messages, and hashtags like #PuneBridgeCollapse, #InfrastructureFailure, and #JusticeForVictims are trending nationwide.
One survivor, 23-year-old Shruti Mehta, a techie from Magarpatta who was on her two-wheeler during the collapse, recounted the moment of impact:
"The road beneath me literally vanished. I remember falling into water and hitting a slab. I don't know how I survived, but the image of others sinking haunts me."
Political Blame Game Begins
Even as rescue efforts continue, the political blame game has intensified. Senior Congress leader Priya D’Souza accused the ruling coalition of compromising public safety for ribbon-cutting photo-ops.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, tweeting:
"Such disasters are not just accidents — they are the result of broken systems and broken promises. The people of Maharashtra deserve answers."
In response, ruling party officials defended the administration, saying that maintenance responsibility had shifted to PMC, which had flagged the bridge’s foundation cracks just two weeks ago — a warning that allegedly went ignored.
Past Warnings, Present Disaster
What’s even more shocking is that a Right to Information (RTI) query filed in March 2025 had revealed structural anomalies in at least four bridges in Pune, including this one. Despite that, no public warning was issued, and no maintenance shutdown was ordered.
A civil engineer and whistleblower, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said:
"We submitted a report about faulty steel reinforcements and water seepage, but no one acted. Today’s tragedy could have been prevented."
A Wake-Up Call for Urban India?
This incident is not just a Pune problem. Across India, rapid urbanization has outpaced quality control in public infrastructure. From flyovers to metro pillars, structural failures are becoming alarmingly frequent.
Citizens are now demanding regular audits, public access to infrastructure inspection reports, and stringent punishment for criminal negligence.
Conclusion
As Pune mourns its dead and prays for its wounded, the bridge collapse stands as a grim reminder that development without accountability can be deadly. The tragedy over Mula-Mutha may soon be yesterday’s headline — but for dozens of families, it will be a scar that never fades.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.