Kundmala Dam on the Indrayani River near Pune is facing an immediate safety risk, with potholes, gaps and flowing water creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians, two-wheelers and cars that continue to use the narrow structure, according to a report by Sakal – Pune.
The dam, located near Kundmala in the Indori area, reportedly has water flowing across it throughout the year. Despite the flow, people continue to cross the structure on foot and in vehicles. Local residents have called for urgent repairs and a halt to traffic across the dam to prevent a possible accident.
The structure is also visited by tourists throughout the year. The report said visitors may misjudge the force and direction of the flowing water, while risky behaviour, crowding and attempts to take selfies have added to the danger. Local residents said accidents have occurred at the site in the past and that some people have lost their lives there.
The immediate physical risks have increased as the dam has developed potholes at several locations, along with small and large gaps. Water is reportedly falling through these openings in substantial quantities. Residents said two-wheelers and cars have slipped after drivers failed to see or judge the potholes while crossing the structure.
The crossing is described as narrow and in poor condition, yet four-wheelers are also using it regularly. This creates a combined risk involving structural deterioration, moving water, vehicle movement and high visitor footfall. The report did not specify the dam’s ownership, the agency responsible for its maintenance, the number of recorded accidents or whether any formal safety inspection has been ordered.
The continued use of the structure also points to a local access and enforcement problem. In the absence of a clearly enforced closure or physical barriers, residents, commuters and visitors are continuing to cross a route that local people describe as unsafe. Any repair or closure decision would need to address both the condition of the dam and the movement of people and vehicles over it.
Residents have urged the authorities to repair the dam without delay and stop traffic across it. The requested measures are intended to prevent further accidents at a site where water flows over the structure and tourist activity continues throughout the year. The source report does not provide a repair schedule or identify an announced deadline for action.
