Pune’s Bhide bridge to be reopened temporarily by August 20 ahead of Ganeshotsav

The Pune Metro has announced a temporary halt in construction activities during this period.

Currently, motorists are using alternative routes, including the Z-bridge, Lakdi Pool, and Bal Gandharva bridge to cross over to the Mutha River. (File photo)

Ahead of the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival next month, the Bhide Bridge over the Mutha River in Pune — closed since April 20 to construct a foot overbridge — will be reopened by August 20 temporarily to help alleviate the congestion during the festive season.

The Pune Metro has announced a temporary halt in construction activities during this period. Officials said that the bridge would be closed to traffic after the festival concludes.

Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has stated that the Bhide Bridge connecting Shaniwar Peth to the Deccan Gymkhana area will be opened by August 20 to facilitate the movement of devotees during the festival. The immersion of Ganesh idols takes place in the artificial tanks set up alongside the river, and the parking of vehicles is also arranged in this area.

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Initially, the Pune Metro closed the bridge for one and a half months, from April 20 to June 6. However, traffic restrictions continued beyond the timeframe due to construction delays.

Hemant Sonawane, executive director of Pune Metro, said, “The Pune Metro will take a break in construction of the footover bridge and clear the Bhide bridge for use by citizens till August 20. It is not possible to complete the work before the Ganesh festival, and the work has to be resumed later on”.

Additionally, another footover cable bridge has been nearly completed over the river connecting Shaniwar Peth with Bal Gandharva Metro station, but it is yet to be opened for public use.

The two routes of Pune Metro rail are currently operational, and efforts are underway to develop additional infrastructure. The two foot overbridges being constructed by Pune Metro would enhance connectivity for residents of Shaniwar Peth, Narayan Peth, and Laxmi road to the Metro stations across the Mutha River.

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Currently, motorists are using alternative routes, including the Z-bridge, Lakdi Pool, and Bal Gandharva bridge to cross over to the Mutha River.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More

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