Pune: Kundmala Draws Hundreds of Tourists Again; Police Step Up Safety Measures After 2025 Bridge Collapse

Talegaon, 27th July 2026: With the onset of the monsoon, the scenic Kundmala spot on the Indrayani River near Begdewadi has once again begun attracting hundreds of tourists every day. However, following last year’s fatal bridge collapse, the Talegaon Dabhade police and the Public Works Department (PWD) have stepped up safety measures to prevent another tragedy.

Tourists continue to visit the popular destination to enjoy the swollen river, lush green surroundings and monsoon landscape. To regulate the growing crowds, authorities have intensified patrolling, restricted access to hazardous areas and increased surveillance across the site.

On June 15, 2025, four people were killed and more than 50 others injured after an old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River at Kundmala collapsed. The rescue operation involved teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigade, police, revenue officials and local villagers.

A preliminary inquiry found that the bridge was old and structurally weak and collapsed after being subjected to a load beyond its carrying capacity. Following the incident, the administration reviewed safety arrangements and introduced several preventive measures.

Police personnel from Talegaon Dabhade Police Station, along with the Damini squad, are conducting regular patrols in the area. Action is being taken against visitors who enter the riverbed, take selfies at dangerous spots, park vehicles in restricted areas or ignore safety instructions. Tourists have been advised to enjoy the river only from designated safe locations.

The PWD’s North Division, Pune, has installed ‘No Entry’ signboards around the construction zone. A new bridge is currently under construction, and deep foundation pits have been dug in the riverbed. Officials said the pits have filled with rainwater, making it difficult to assess their depth and increasing the risk of accidents. Entry into the construction area without permission has therefore been prohibited.

Authorities have appealed to visitors to cooperate with the safety regulations by avoiding the riverbed, staying away from hazardous areas and following all instructions issued by the police and district administration.

“The lives lost in last year’s bridge collapse are not just statistics but a lasting lesson for every visitor. It is the collective responsibility of all tourists to follow the administration’s safety guidelines,” said Rambhau Sawant, Shiv Sena taluka chief.