Mumbai, June 16, 2025 — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launched a fierce attack on the Mahayuti government following the tragic collapse of a narrow footbridge over the Indrayani River in Pune’s Kundamala area. The incident, which occurred on June 15, has already claimed at least two lives, injured over 32 people, and left several feared missing after strong river currents swept them away.
The bridge, a rusted, 30-year-old iron structure with inadequate barricades, gave way under the weight of a large crowd gathered during the monsoon weekend. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as tourists fell into the river, with many trying to swim to safety amid rising water levels.
Raj Thackeray wasted no time in holding the state’s leadership accountable. In his statement, he strongly criticised the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, questioning how such a serious lapse in infrastructure upkeep could happen under the watch of senior leaders from Pune itself. He pointed out that despite repeated warnings from locals and visible signs of wear and tear, the administration ignored the deteriorating condition of the footbridge.
The MNS chief accused the government of focusing on superficial political campaigns while neglecting essential issues like public safety and infrastructure audits. He demanded a full inspection of similar footbridges across Maharashtra to prevent such preventable tragedies from recurring.
Residents of Kundamala had previously flagged the poor condition of the bridge. Locals had reportedly tried to patch gaps in the railings themselves, a clear indication that officials had turned a blind eye to the urgent need for repairs. Despite growing tourist footfall in the area during weekends, no structural reinforcements or crowd control measures were implemented.
Following the collapse, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and emergency teams were immediately deployed. Rescue operations are ongoing, and several critically injured victims have been hospitalised. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar confirmed that an investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the failure, including the role of rust-induced structural weakness and excessive crowd load.
This disaster has once again sparked debate over Maharashtra’s infrastructure preparedness, especially during monsoon months when bridges and roads face increased strain. The Indrayani bridge collapse serves as a tragic reminder of what happens when warnings go unheeded and maintenance is deprioritized.
As rescue operations continue, public anger is rising — and so are calls for accountability from a government that many feel has ignored the basics while focusing on the cosmetic.
