The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has put forward a proposal to demolish the 55-year-old Vriddheshwar-Siddheshwar causeway, a once-vital link connecting Omkareshwar Temple to the Vriddheshwar Siddheshwar Ghat on the Mutha riverbed. This move comes after an extensive evaluation of the causeway, which revealed that it no longer serves its original function as a major transportation route, either for vehicles or pedestrians. The PMC is awaiting approval from the City Improvement Committee before the demolition process can commence.
The 50-metre-long and 4.7-metre-wide causeway, originally built to serve as a key river crossing, has gradually fallen into disrepair. Over time, its utility has shifted primarily to local activities such as fishing, vehicle washing, and animal cleaning, rather than facilitating traffic flow. The infrastructure’s declining condition, compounded by frequent waterlogging and debris accumulation, has made it increasingly unsafe. Despite the cost of ₹39 lakh to repair the causeway and extend its lifespan by just eight years, officials have opted for demolition as a more cost-effective and practical solution.
With the construction of modern bridges like the Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde Bridge and Jayantrao Tilak Bridge, which now handle the transportation needs of the area, the relevance of the old causeway has diminished. The new bridges have reduced traffic on the causeway, leaving it underutilised and further deteriorating. Yuvraj Deshmukh, the chief superintendent engineer at PMC, stated that the demolition will eliminate recurring repair costs, which have become an unsustainable financial burden.
In addition to its economic benefits, the demolition of the Vriddheshwar-Siddheshwar causeway aligns with the city’s broader riverside development goals. The removal of the structure will improve the flow of the river, mitigate flood risks during the monsoon, and help prevent the waterlogging and debris accumulation that frequently plague the area. From a sustainability standpoint, the move is expected to enhance the city’s resilience to flooding, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient urban environment.
