1 week Ago By Sarang Dastane
1 2 Pune: The civic body has been unable to finish repair and strengthening works sanctioned for a number of key bridges over rivers flowing through the city within the stipulated time. Earlier, work on 11 listed bridges was expected to be finished by the end of March 2025. Civic officials claimed that the progress has been slower than the expected pace because the traffic police have restricted Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) from completely closing off the bridges to vehicles, citing the possibility of resultant traffic chaos.
The administration had initiated some of the work around four months ago. Looking ahead, PMC officials said they are completing the work in phases based on guidance from the traffic police department. The fresh target is to finish the work on all major bridges in the next three months, before the monsoon begins.
At present, ongoing work on two bridges — Sangam Bridge and SM Joshi Bridge — involves replacing expansion joints, strengthening and tarring of the road surface. Repair and maintenance is yet to begin for seven bridges — including the Rajiv Gandhi Bridge in Aundh, a bridge in Bopodi and the Rajaram Bridge in the Sinhagad Road area. Officials said this work will be taken up in the next few days.
Regular commuters have for a while now been complaining about the bumpy rides on many bridges and flyovers in the city, owing to a mismatch at the joints of two load-bearing spans on many of the structures. Civic officials confirmed that besides the targeted bridges, a few smaller flyovers in the city will also be taken up for similar repairs. Mahesh Katkar, who often uses the Rajaram Bridge, said, "It is never a smooth ride on this route.
The civic administration needs to fix the issue as soon as possible." Manish Dighe, a commuter on Paud Road, said, "The flyover at Paud Phata needs to undergo repairs as two-wheeler riders in particular have a jerky and back-breaking experience while crossing over the span joints." Commuters also pointed out that entry-exit points at some such spots like Mhatre Bridge, Mundhwa-Kharadi Bypass Bridge, and Kalyaninagar Bridge have become bottlenecks, and the administration needs to clear the routes.
An official from PMC said ongoing repairs are expected to address basic issues of bumpy rides, potholes and rough surfaces. The official told TOI, "The traffic police department asked not to close the bridges owing to Std X and XII exams in the last several weeks. Now, we are expecting some relief from April, which will help expedite the work.
" Meanwhile, the civic administration is also in the process of appointing an agency to take up repairs on smaller bridges in the city, which are located over nullahs and streams. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with EID Wishes , Messages and quotes !.
