MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the iron pedestrian bridge on the Indrayani River in Pune that collapsed, killing four persons, had been declared dangerous by the District Collector, and warning boards had been put up at the site. Talking to reporters at an event in Palghar, Fadnavis said the contract for a new bridge at the site in Maval tehsil had been awarded, and work has begun. Four people died, and 18 were seriously injured when a 32-year-old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River in Maval tehsil collapsed on Sunday afternoon due to overcrowding by tourists.

 

He said that the structure had been declared dangerous by the district collector before the incident, and villagers had also placed warning boards. Tourists might not have been aware of the severity of the bridge’s condition, he said. The Chief Minister said that the administration had identified 500 dangerous locations, including bridges and water bodies, across Pune district for the monsoon season. “Notifications have been issued, and at some places, police are posted while villagers are also involved in cautioning people. We have to handle this with much more caution,” he said.

 

Top Mah officials convene high-level meeting after Pune bridge collapse: Following the tragic bridge collapse over Indrayani river a high-level meeting of top administrators of the state was convened on Monday. The meeting was chaired by the State Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik, at her office, with the Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department Secretary (Roads), Divisional Commissioner of Pune, Pune District Collector, Pune Chief Executive Officer, officials from Public Works Department, and Pune Superintendent of Police joining virtually. “The maximum benefit of these employment opportunities should go to the sons of the soil,” he asserted. Fishermen and the tribal community of Palghar should be the primary beneficiaries, and the Government is working in that direction, he said. The Chief Minister said six agreements will be signed focusing on training, capacity building, and skill development for the local population to prepare them for these future roles.