Parliament Question: Iron Bridge Collapse in Pune

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 799 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025 IRON BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN PUNE

799. Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh:

Will the MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the recent collapse of the iron bridge on Indrayani River in Pune and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has initiated any action to determine the cause of collapse and if so, the details thereof including findings of the investigation;

(c) whether any prior inspections were conducted to assess the structural integrity of the bridge and if so, the details thereof including timeline and frequency;

(d) whether the Government has initiated any punitive action against those responsible for the cause and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has taken action to reinstall the bridge in a timely manner considering the transportation significance of the bridge and if so, the details thereof;

(f) the details of tender allotment process for the construction and maintenance of the new bridge; and

(g) whether the Government has formulated any concrete policies to ensure prevention of such incidents in the future and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) to (g) Government in Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways is primarily concerned with the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The recent collapse of the iron bridge on Indrayani River in Pune has occurred on a State Road, the development and maintenance of which is the responsibility of State Government of Maharashtra.

As per the details furnished by the State Public Works Department

(PWD), the iron bridge on Indrayani River in Pune was about 34 years old and after the construction of the said bridge, pedestrian and to some extent two wheeler traffic was plying. Gram Panchayat had put up notice boards stating that the bridge is in dangerous condition and not to use it. As per the inquiry report of the State PWD, the accident had occurred due to the collapse of this bridge due to overloading. No details on the proposal for the construction of a new bridge has been reported by the State Government.

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