The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) called off its rescue and relief efforts on Monday at the site of the Indrayani River bridge collapse in Pune’s Kundamala area. The decision was made after confirmation that all missing individuals had been located.
In a formal update, the NDRF stated that rescue activities were wrapped up late Sunday night under the direction of the district administration. “All those previously unaccounted for have now been found, so the operation has been formally ended,” read the statement.
The tragic incident occurred when an old iron bridge spanning the Indrayani River gave way while over 150 visitors were on it. The collapse led to the deaths of four people and left around 50 others injured. Located about 30 kilometers from Pune, near Talegaon Dabhade in Maval taluka, the area is a relatively unexplored spot among tourists.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi reported that the NDRF team arrived at the scene within 20 minutes of being alerted. Out of the 50 people hurt in the collapse, 18 required hospitalization. Following the incident, the state government declared a financial aid of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and assured that all medical expenses for the injured would be fully covered.
The structure, built over three decades ago, was intended only for foot traffic. However, over time, two-wheelers had begun using it as well, which likely weakened the bridge’s integrity. Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan mentioned that although approval had been given for building a new bridge, the onset of the monsoon season caused delays in starting the construction work.
The area had seen a surge in visitors following increased water flow in the Indrayani River due to heavy rains. Kundamala is known for its natural beauty, including waterfalls and whirlpools. Authorities had recently issued advisories discouraging visits to water bodies during the rainy season, but the warnings went largely unheeded.
