Four Dead as Pune Footbridge Crashes Amid Crowd Surge
A shocking tragedy struck Pune on June 14, 2025, when the Pune Footbridge over the Indrayani River at Kundamala suddenly collapsed during a crowded evening. Four lives were lost and several others injured as the footbridge gave way under the pressure of a crowd surge. Eyewitnesses reported panic and chaos as the structure snapped in seconds, raising questions about maintenance and oversight by civic authorities.
Rust and Overcrowding Blamed for the Collapse
Initial reports and investigations suggest that the Pune Footbridge suffered from prolonged rusting and metal fatigue. According to The Times of India, officials believe that rust damage and poor structural integrity, combined with overcrowding, triggered the disaster. Built decades ago, the bridge had not undergone major repairs or safety inspections in recent years.
The incident has reignited public anger over aging infrastructure and civic neglect. The Pune bridge collapse 2025 is not the first such incident, but it underscores the growing threat posed by ignored safety audits and the lack of preventive maintenance. Local residents had allegedly flagged concerns about the bridge’s stability in the past, but no significant action was taken by the administration.
Civic Body Faces Heat Over Neglect and Safety Lapses
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is now under fire for what many call “institutional negligence.” Despite visible signs of wear and rust, there was no immediate repair work or safety fencing done to restrict access. As per Economic Times, structural flaws and a lack of crowd management contributed to the sudden collapse. The Pune bridge collapse investigation has now been fast-tracked with an independent committee set to submit a detailed report within ten days.
Experts believe that better inspection protocols and timely maintenance could have saved lives. Moreover, safety warnings and emergency evacuation plans were absent, pointing to a complete failure in civic preparedness.
Sparked Safety Questions and Public Outrage
Following the Pune footbridge tragedy, citizens and urban safety experts are calling for a city-wide audit of pedestrian bridges, especially older ones. Many believe that the Kundamala bridge overcrowding was avoidable with proper security and planning. Social media platforms are flooded with images of the bridge rust damage Pune and video footage showing the moment of the collapse.
In response, local NGOs and civil engineers are advocating for the deployment of AI-powered structural health monitoring tools to identify vulnerable infrastructures early. The civic body has promised compensation to the victims’ families and announced a review of all footbridges under its jurisdiction.
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