Baba Bhide bridge in Pune’s Deccan Gymkhana area has reopened to vehicles and pedestrians as Maha Metro’s work on the adjoining foot overbridge enters its final phase, offering relief to road users affected by the bridge’s closure over the past few months.
Maha Metro said there is no longer a requirement to keep the bridge shut throughout the day. The bridge will remain open on days when a full closure is not needed, while temporary closures will be planned according to the requirements of the remaining construction work.
The foot overbridge is intended to provide direct access between Deccan Gymkhana Metro station and the Sadashiv Peth and Narayan Peth areas. According to Maha Metro officials, the basic structure is ready and the girder launch will be carried out in phases. Road barricading will remain around the work site for some more days.
Maha Metro plans to complete the remaining foot overbridge work by December. The agency has not indicated that the bridge will be closed for the entire day again, saying closures will be arranged only when required for construction activity.
The reopening follows traffic disruption across roads connected to the bridge. Commuters reported congestion around JM Road, Lakdi Pul, Deccan Gymkhana and the Peth areas during the closure period. Vikas Limaye, a commuter, said work should be scheduled during night hours or on lean days and holidays, and urged the administration to avoid a complete closure.
Limaye said traffic snarls had continued around the bridge even after it was opened for vehicles in recent days. He said the closure had obstructed movement on surrounding roads and that keeping the bridge operational would help reduce pressure on JM Road, Lakdi Pul, Deccan Gymkhana and the Peth areas.
Vikas Kale, a Narayan Peth resident, said the closure had affected traffic flow on Kelkar Road, Laxmi Road and in Narayan Peth. He also pointed to heavy traffic on Lakdi Pul and called for a firm deadline for completing the remaining Metro work.
Maha Metro’s next construction milestone is the phased launch of the foot overbridge girder, with completion of the remaining work targeted for December.
