In the wake of a fatal bridge collapse in Pune’s scenic Kundmala area, Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has strongly urged authorities to temporarily shut off potentially hazardous tourist sites during the monsoon season. She emphasised that proactive closures, clear warning signboards, and strict enforcement are essential to safeguard visitors.The recommendation follows Sunday’s tragic incident on an iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River in Maval tehsil, where four picnickers lost their lives.
At a high-level video-conference meeting held on Monday—attended by the Pune Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner—Saunik highlighted that declared “dangerous” spots must be fenced off and access restricted until repairs meet safety standards.“During monsoon, large crowds gather at such locations. We must enhance vigilance, reinforce safety protocols, and ban entry where any risk exists,” she directed. Saunik further urged that tourists who flout clear safety instructions face legal consequences, focusing on shared responsibility between visitors and authorities.
Saunik also brought attention to broader safety concerns amid recent incidents. Just days earlier, four commuters tragically fell from an overcrowded train near Mumbai’s fringes, prompting her to convene a separate review with railway, metro, police, and municipal agencies to bolster passenger safety during monsoon and upcoming festive periods.Within that review, she recommended the appointment of monsoon-specific nodal officers, deployment of Home Guard and National Cadet Corps volunteers for crowd and entry-point management, and installation of baggage scanners and crowd-alert sirens in trains and stations. She called for real-time safety messaging via station displays, announcements, FM radio, and social media, and stressed that rapid and accurate accident information is vital to avoid public panic.
Back at the monsoon-safety meeting, Saunik pressed the Public Works Department to proactively inspect and reinforce bridges, prioritising repairs or rebuilding where needed. She also called for the planting of native flora and improved water management at tourist sites to reduce risks from runoff and erosion.The core message from Saunik: tourism and safety must go hand in hand—especially during monsoons. With large crowds flocking to waterfalls, hill stations, and riverbanks, the government must balance public enjoyment with robust protection. While closures may disappoint visitors and local businesses, the alternative—preventable tragedies—cannot be ignored. She urged agencies to communicate transparently so tourists understand the rationale behind temporary bans.
As the state welcomes pilgrims and holidaymakers in the coming weeks, swift action on these recommendations will be critical. Saunik’s message is clear: the protection of lives demands decisiveness, even if it means closing some of our most beautiful places.
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