Due to large crowds in mid-city areas for Diwali shopping, the Pune city police's traffic control branch has decided to open Bhide bridge for vehicular traffic starting October 11. The Bhide bridge, located near the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) building, has been closed for traffic due to the construction of a pedestrian cable bridge connecting to the Deccan Metro station. But a large number of people are gathering in the mid-city areas of Pune for Diwali shopping, causing congestion and traffic jams. Due to it, opening the Bhide bridge for vehicular traffic for a temporary period has become essential to reduce congestion in the area. According to a press release issued by Himmat Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), the Bhide bridge will be open to vehicular traffic between 6 am and 10 pm, starting from October 11 and continuing until further notice. The police have appealed to the people to follow traffic norms. Meanwhile, to prevent traffic congestion and accidents, the traffic control branch has also banned heavy vehicles between Katraj and Kivale on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in the morning and evening hours. According to the press release, heavy vehicles will be prohibited from the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway between Katraj and Kivale Lane from October 15 until further notice. This restriction will be in place daily from 8 am to 11 am. Heavy vehicles coming from the Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur areas should not cross the Shindewadi toll post during this time. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to travel from Kivale to Katraj Lane on the highway between 5 pm and 9 pm, according to a press release. Vehicles entering the city from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Raigad should not cross Wadgaon Phata during this time. However, there is no ban on vehicles associated with essential services, such as the transportation of fuel, milk, and agricultural products.
