Nagpur, India: In the wake of the recent tragic bridge collapse over the Indrayani River in Pune, the Maharashtra government has issued an urgent advisory to all district administrations to identify and temporarily close tourist spots deemed vulnerable during the monsoon season.

The advisory, issued on Monday evening, directs district collectors and local authorities to conduct immediate safety audits of tourist locations, especially those near rivers, waterfalls, hills, and old bridges. Locations that are considered high-risk due to landslide-prone terrain, waterlogging, or structural instability are to be closed to visitors until further notice.

The decision comes after six people were confirmed dead and several others feared drowned when a bridge collapsed in Pune’s Maval tehsil on Sunday. The incident raised serious concerns over infrastructure safety and public movement in risky areas during heavy rains.

State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Anil Deshmukh, stated that the government is committed to preventing similar tragedies. “We cannot wait for another loss of lives to act. All potentially dangerous tourist spots must be shut until the end of the monsoon or until they are declared structurally safe,” he said.

District administrations have also been asked to intensify public awareness campaigns warning people against visiting risky areas, particularly on weekends and holidays. Coordination with the police, forest department, and tourism officials has been stressed to ensure strict enforcement of the advisory.

Tour operators and local hospitality businesses have expressed concerns over the impact on tourism but agree that safety should take priority.

With the monsoon gaining strength across Maharashtra, the state is stepping up efforts to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure public safety.