BJP members join Oppn in seeking action against officials in Pune bridge collapse that killed four

Mumbai, Jul 1 (PTI) Members of the opposition parties as well as ruling BJP in the Maharashtra legislative council on Tuesday demanded action against officers for lapses in last month's Kundmala bridge collapse incident in Pune that claimed the lives of four persons.
A BJP member said although funds were sanctioned for a new bridge, it took more than a year-and-a-half for the worker and demanded action against the guilty, while another said officials should be held accountable.
A Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator said it was a "murder" due to negligence by officials, while his party colleague sought to know why the bridge was not pulled down if it was not safe.
Replying to a calling attention motion in the Upper House of the state legislature, Public Works Department Minister Shivendraraje Bhonsle said the bridge on the Indrayani river that collapsed on June 15 was built 30 years ago by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Although the PWD built the bridge, it did not maintain it nor was the structure under its control, he said, adding the bridge was a "rural road" but did not specify under whose jurisdiction or department it was.
He said a three-member panel has been formed to probe the incident. The report is expected in 15 days and those guilty will not be spared. The minister said an amount of Rs 8 crore was sanctioned to build a new bridge but the work order was not issued.
He said the code of conduct during the assembly polls last year and demand from villagers and local representatives to have a footpath on the bridge delayed the construction of the new structure.
Four persons died and 18 others were seriously injured after the iron pedestrian bridge, which had been declared unsafe, collapsed in Kundmala area Pune's Maval tehsil, prima facie due to crowding by tourists who ignored the warning board at the spot.
More than 100 persons were present on the bridge, a popular spot for tourists and picnickers, when the incident took place.
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said it is not important whether the road was under the jurisdiction of the PWD or any other department. The road belongs to the government.
"The funds were sanctioned. But it took more than a year and a half to issue a work order for the bridge. Who is responsible for the delay and what action did the government take against the officials. It's been over 15 days (after the accident) and you still don't have a probe report. Action should have been taken against the guilty," he said.
Sadabhau Khot (BJP) said the PWD was aware of the life of the bridge. "Was its structural audit done? Officers have to be held accountable," he said.
Sachin Ahir (Shiv Sena-UBT) said these are not just deaths, but murder due to negligence by officials.
"You have to hold someone responsible. Suspend officials till the inquiry is done," he said.
Sunil Shinde (Sena-UBT), who moved the motion, asked why the bridge was not demolished if it was unsafe. Action should have been taken against officers immediately, he said.
Minister Bhonsle also gave a statement regarding the bridge collapse in the assembly.
He said the PWD has 16,395 bridges under its control in the state.
Four bridges are dangerous and they have either been stopped for traffic or a new bridge is being built. Eight bridges are such whose structural audit is yet to be completed but the department feels they are not safe for usage, he said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)