Pune, June 16 — Search and rescue operations at the Kundamala site near the Indrayani River in Pune have officially been called off, two days after a section of the bridge collapsed amid heavy rainfall. The incident, which occurred on Friday night, claimed five lives and raised fresh concerns over the safety of infrastructure in the region.
The bridge, a crucial connector for commuters and pilgrims travelling between Alandi and Lonavala, collapsed at around 10:30 PM on June 14. Several individuals and vehicles were swept away as the structure gave way under the pressure of the swollen river.
According to officials, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Pune fire brigade concluded their search operations late Sunday after recovering all five bodies from the river. No additional missing persons have been reported.
Speaking to the media, an NDRF official confirmed, “The rescue teams have completed the search. All those reported missing have been found, and the operation is now complete.”
Rescue efforts were hampered by strong currents, debris, and poor visibility due to continuous rainfall. Despite the difficult conditions, authorities employed divers, sonar equipment, and thermal imaging tools to locate the missing individuals.
Eyewitnesses reported that a loud cracking sound was heard moments before the bridge gave way. Local residents have accused the authorities of negligence, alleging that visible cracks in the bridge had gone unaddressed for months. “We had alerted officials several times. This tragedy could have been prevented,” said a resident of the area.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the site on Sunday and met with the victims’ families. He announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased person. “We will take strict action if any negligence is found. A technical audit of all bridges in the district will be carried out immediately,” Pawar said.
The Pune District Collectorate has also initiated a probe into the structural integrity of similar bridges across the region. Officials have been directed to submit a preliminary report within a week.
Experts have warned that outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure in flood-prone regions poses a serious threat, especially during the monsoon season. Civil engineer Anil Khare stated, “Most bridges in semi-urban areas were built decades ago. Without timely maintenance, such disasters are inevitable.”
The Indrayani River, which has been flowing above danger levels due to continuous rain, remains under surveillance. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Pune, forecasting more rainfall in the coming days.
With rescue efforts now concluded, attention has turned toward accountability and preventive measures. The incident has triggered renewed demands for urgent infrastructure upgrades and stricter safety audits across Maharashtra.
