Mumbai: In the wake of the recent bridge collapse over the Indrayani River in Pune district, Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal launched a scathing attack on the state government, calling the incident a result of “gross negligence” and demanding that culpable homicide charges be filed against responsible officials.
The tragedy occurred at Kundmala, a popular monsoon destination, where an old iron bridge gave way, sweeping away dozens of tourists. While many were rescued, four people lost their lives and six sustained serious injuries. Sapkal questioned why the bridge was left open despite being flagged as dangerous and frequented by visitors during the rainy season.
“The deaths are not mere accidents—they are casualties of government apathy,” said Sapkal. “If the government was aware that the bridge was structurally unsound, why was it not closed or repaired? Funds were sanctioned a year ago, yet no work was initiated. Was the government waiting for a disaster to strike?”
He also slammed the administration’s claim of having placed a warning signboard near the bridge, calling it a symbolic act with no real preventive action. “Putting up a signboard doesn’t absolve the authorities. Governance can’t be reduced to issuing warnings while lives are at risk,” he said.
Sapkal criticized the state’s response of compensating the families of the deceased with ₹5 lakh, asserting that financial aid alone cannot replace accountability. “Until those responsible are punished, these incidents will continue, and innocent citizens will keep dying,” he added.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a statewide structural audit of all vulnerable bridges. Sapkal, however, dismissed the move as reactive and inadequate. “This is like bringing horses after the procession is over. The government wakes up after people die. This vicious cycle of negligence, tragedy, and temporary damage control must end,” he remarked.
Adding to the controversy, Sapkal also raised serious concerns about the collapse of the platform supporting the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort. The statue, unveiled on May 11 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reportedly developed a large crack within just a month, raising questions about construction quality.
“If the platform is crumbling within weeks of inauguration, it speaks volumes about the standards and seriousness with which these public projects are undertaken,” said Sapkal.
He also recalled that an earlier Shivaji Maharaj statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2024, had collapsed within eight months—an incident that triggered massive public outrage across the state. A new statue was built, but Sapkal claimed that corruption once again compromised the integrity of the construction.
“Even the legacies of our great leaders are not spared from the rot of corruption. The so-called ‘Maha-Bhrasht Maha-Yuti’ (grand corrupt alliance) has infected everything it touches,” Sapkal concluded.
