Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the tragic bridge collapse incident in Pune’s Chandni Chowk area. The Prime Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives and assured all possible assistance from the Centre for relief and rescue operations.
According to official sources, an under-construction footbridge collapsed late Sunday night, leading to the death of at least three individuals and injuring over a dozen others. The collapse occurred amid heavy rainfall in the region, which is suspected to have contributed to the structural failure. Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and fire department personnel, were immediately deployed to the site.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Modi said, “Deeply pained by the bridge collapse in Pune. Spoke to Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is closely monitoring the situation, has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The state government has announced ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and assured proper medical treatment for the injured. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible once the investigation report is submitted,” said Shinde.
Local eyewitnesses reported that several workers were present on the structure when it suddenly gave way. Rescue operations continued through the night as authorities searched for survivors under the debris. As of Tuesday morning, officials confirmed the identities of the victims and stated that search operations were nearing completion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences via social media, stating that the Centre was in constant touch with the state administration and that every necessary measure was being taken to manage the aftermath.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety protocols followed in large infrastructure projects. Opposition leaders criticized the government for negligence and called for a comprehensive audit of ongoing construction work across Maharashtra.
The Chandni Chowk bridge project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Pune’s busy western corridor, has been under development for over a year. This incident is likely to cause delays and lead to stricter monitoring of all future infrastructure undertakings in the region.
Authorities are expected to release a preliminary report on the causes of the collapse later this week.
