India will be the third largest economy but what about collapsing bridges: Ajit Pawar

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Professional Structural Engineers Association (PSEA) in Pune.

Pawar’s statement came after two bridge collapse incidents were reported in two months — in Pune and Vadodara. Four people were killed when an iron bridge over Indrayani river in Pune collapsed on June 15, while at least 12 lives were lost after multiple vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river in Gujarat’s Vadodara on July 9, when a 43-year-old bridge collapsed.

Pawar said that the government still receives letters and updates from British companies that carried out construction in India during the British Raj.

“Even after 100 years, PWD (Public Works Department) gets their (British company’s) letters informing us that ‘on this date 100 years will be completed and our guarantee is over. Please do not operate the bridge for vehicular use anymore’. We have to make efforts to demolish those bridges,” he said.

Comparing the quality of construction of structures now with that of the British era, Pawar who leads the Nationalist Congress Party, which is part of the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra, said, “We do not see this quality of construction anymore. New construction techniques have come up and they should definitely be used… buildings should be made stronger. PWD officials tell us often, ‘this building is 40 years old, let’s demolish it and make a new one’. How do they make these statements so casually?”

Pointing out that several buildings in Mumbai are old, Pawar said, “We live in Mumbai. All the buildings that we see in Ballard Estate (South Mumbai) are very old. The High Court building or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus… these buildings are excellent even after so many years. The corporation building is also extremely aesthetic. All this was possible during the British era.”

Pawar also officially inaugurated PSEA, a registered cooperative organisation established in January 2025, which aims to balance the responsibilities, rights, and social commitments of structural engineers.