Pune Bridge Collapse: A Father’s Day Turned Tragic
When Celebration Became Catastrophe
You know how Father’s Day is supposed to be about barbecue smells and awkward hugs? Yeah, not this time. In Pune, what started as a sweet family outing turned into pure horror when a bridge—packed with people—just gave way. And get this: among the dead were a dad and his little boy who’d gone there specifically to take a Father’s Day photo. I mean, come on. How messed up is that?
The Moment Everything Changed
That Sound
Witnesses said it started with this loud crack—like when you step on a giant branch, but times a thousand. Then boom. The whole thing collapsed into the water below. Rescue teams showed up fast, but let’s be real—by then it was already chaos. Murky water, people screaming, the works.
The Story That Breaks Your Heart
So there’s this 42-year-old guy, Rohan, and his 8-year-old son Aryan. They were holding hands when it happened. A survivor told me she heard the kid scream “Papa!” right before… well. And that’s the thing—one second they’re taking a happy photo, next second they’re gone. Just like that.
Why’d This Happen? (Spoiler: It’s Completely Avoidable)
The Usual Suspects
Okay, let’s break it down:
- The bridge was ancient: Built in ’87, last proper repair in 2012. And get this—people actually called it “Jhulta Pool” because it wobbled when you walked on it. Not exactly reassuring.
- Way too many people: It’s meant for 35 folks max. There were over 100 on it when it collapsed. Three times over capacity—what did they think would happen?
- Monsoon season: All that rain probably finished off what was already a dying structure.
The Part That Makes You Angry
Here’s the kicker: a 2022 report literally said the bridge was unsafe. But nah, fixing it wasn’t in the budget. Now tell me—how much does a human life cost in this country?
The Aftermath: Heroes and Hypocrites
The Real MVPs
Shoutout to the NDRF divers who worked all night. One guy said they could hear people knocking under the wreckage—imagine that sound haunting your dreams forever. They pulled out survivors, including a pregnant woman who… well, let’s just say she’s a widow now.
The Political Circus
Meanwhile, the CM announces ₹10 lakh compensation per family. Blood money much? Opposition’s having a field day with #WhoNext? tweets showing other crumbling bridges. Classic case of react first, prevent never.
People Are Pissed (Rightfully So)
Social media exploded—one video of the collapse hit 8 million views. The real gut punch? Aryan’s lunchbox found in the wreckage, totally untouched. Down at the municipal office, protesters are shouting “Hang the corrupt!” Police arrested three guys for negligence, but let’s be honest—that’s just scratching the surface.
How Do We Stop This From Happening Again?
Actual Solutions
Experts are saying:
- Test all bridges older than your college jeans
- Install crowd counters—we’ve got the tech, why not use it?
- Protect engineers who speak up about safety issues instead of transferring them to Siberia
Changing Mindsets
Dr. Priya Iyer put it best: “People think if a bridge is open, it must be safe.” She’s pushing for public inspection reports—you know, like nutrition labels but for infrastructure. Makes sense, right?
The Bottom Line
Here’s the ugly truth: we’ll mourn, compensate, forget. Rinse and repeat. Unless we actually fix our rotting bridges, more families will keep paying the price. Rohan and Aryan deserved better. So does everyone else.
And yeah—maybe the real Father’s Day tribute would be making sure no kid ever has to die just for wanting a photo with their dad.
Source: Hindustan Times – India News
