PUNE: A 50-year-old bridge across Pavana river, which linked Thugaon and Baur villages in Maval taluka, caved in on Tuesday evening, following incessant rainfall. No casualty was reported.
The bridge was being mainly used by villagers, as well as employees of several hatcheries and poultry farms, in the area. They will be required to take a 10km detour to reach either villages through alternative road passing via Kadadhe village, where another bridge is located across the Pavana river.
Maval, along with Mulshi, Bhor and Velhe talukas in Pune district, is known to record heavy rainfall every monsoon season. During the last year’s monsoon, the bridge was partially damaged, but was still in use by the daily commuters.
Maval tehsildar Madhusudan Barge told TOI, “We had asked the villagers not to use the bridge after the last year’s damage. However, they continued using it despite being warned at regular intervals.”
He said the state irrigation and the public works departments have jointly planned to construct another bridge on the river joining the two villages. “For now, we have asked the villagers not to visit the bridge site,” Barge said.
An irrigation department official said, “We will start construction work of the new bridge in the next two months. It will be completed in six to seven months.”
Thugaon resident Baban Jagtap told TOI, “I work in a hatchery-cum-poultry farm located on the other side of the river. I was using the bridge daily and it was just a five minute journey for me. However, I have to travel about 10-12 km one way to reach my office now.”
Kaka Dhapse, a resident of Baur village, said, “I deliver milk to the areas in Pimpri Chinchwad. The bridge was good for me as it used to save at least 15km (one side) journey for me. Now, I have to commute from Kamshet or from the Kadadhe village. We need another bridge soon.”
