State Audit Flags Four Bridges in ‘Extremely Dangerous Condition’ Following Pune Bridge Collapse

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A structural audit of over 16,000 bridges in Maharashtra has found that at least four are in an “extremely dangerous condition.” Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhonsle informed the state legislative assembly on Tuesday that a report on an additional eight bridges is still pending.

Among the four identified bridges, two are located in Panvel, with one each in Dhule and Amravati. Bhonsle noted that these bridges will either be repaired or reconstructed based on their specific conditions.

Context of the Audit

The audit was initiated following the collapse of a 30-year-old pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River in Pune district on June 15, which tragically resulted in four deaths and 51 injuries. This incident raised concerns regarding potential lapses by the state government in maintaining bridge infrastructure across Maharashtra.

During the second day of the monsoon session in the state assembly, legislators discussed the situation and called for a comprehensive structural audit of all bridges to prevent future incidents.

Minister’s Response

In response to these discussions, Bhonsle stated, “There are 16,395 bridges under the state Public Works Department (PWD). Following the Pune incident, we initiated a structural audit of all bridges, which led to the discovery of four in extremely dangerous condition.” He confirmed that decisions regarding repairs or reconstructions would be made based on the condition of each bridge.

To address immediate safety concerns, the government plans to install cement barriers and collaborate with local police to restrict access to the dilapidated bridges. Additionally, a caution board has been placed at the Indrayani River bridge.

Concerns Raised by Legislators

Regarding the Pune bridge, Bhonsle explained, “It was in a dilapidated state and frequently used by tourists. On the day of the collapse, a large crowd gathered, causing it to fail under excessive load.”

Chetan Tupe, an MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party, raised concerns about the delay in replacing the Pune bridge, stating that the grant for its replacement was approved last year, but the work order was issued after a year and a half. “All of this needs to be investigated,” he urged.

In response, Bhonsle announced that the PWD has appointed a three-member committee to investigate any delays in the bridge replacement work. He added, “We expect the report in the next 15 days, and those found responsible will face appropriate action.”