Pune’s commuters are facing increasing frustration as traffic restrictions caused by ongoing construction on the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge continue to disrupt their daily routines. Areas such as Bund Garden Road, Wadia College Chowk, and Mangaldas Road have become focal points for severe congestion, particularly during rush hours.
Commuters navigating these routes often find themselves stuck for prolonged periods, with some reports indicating delays of up to 15 minutes just to cross a single junction. This has sparked mounting dissatisfaction among locals who are calling on authorities to accelerate the pace of the bridge’s redevelopment work and ease the strain on the city’s traffic flow.
The construction of a new bridge began in April 2024, following the decision to demolish the old Sadhu Vaswani Bridge, which had long been a vital artery for traffic in the area. Originally, the project was slated for completion by 2026. However, the demolition process has been slower than anticipated, with many aspects of the work yet to be finalised. Despite the months that have passed since the commencement of the project, commuters are still contending with the incomplete demolition of the old bridge. City officials, however, have explained that the delay is due to the complexities of the work, including the need to obtain permissions from the railway administration, as much of the structure is located above active railway tracks.
Frustrated commuters have expressed their concerns about the lack of progress, particularly with the monsoon season fast approaching. With only two months left before the rains arrive, many fear that the traffic situation will worsen, further exacerbating the daily struggles of commuters. A resident of Bund Garden Road, for instance, expressed disappointment at the pace of work, pointing out that the absence of alternative routes has led to severe congestion in the area. They argued that it would be prudent for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to avoid any further roadworks, especially on already heavily trafficked stretches, to mitigate the chaos.
In response to the growing complaints, the traffic police department has assured that efforts are being made to manage the situation. Additional traffic wardens have been deployed to key junctions, while measures have been put in place to prevent wrong-side driving and ensure that vehicles do not halt unnecessarily on the roads, which has been a significant factor contributing to the congestion. The police have also indicated that ongoing efforts to streamline traffic flow are in place, although many commuters remain unconvinced that these measures are enough to handle the volume of traffic during peak hours. Meanwhile, the PMC has announced that a key phase of the bridge’s demolition is set to begin imminently. Starting Wednesday, the demolition of 12 girders located directly above the railway tracks will commence. This phase of work is expected to take approximately 15 days, with the removal of one girder scheduled each day. The railways have granted a two-hour window daily for this work, and officials are hopeful that it will significantly speed up the overall demolition process.
While the demolition of the girders is a crucial step, the project team has indicated that progress is already being made in other areas. Pillars for the new bridge are being constructed on both ends, and the relocation of slum dwellers from the bridge area has also been completed. These developments offer a glimmer of hope for those awaiting the project’s completion, but for now, the traffic woes continue to dominate daily life for Pune’s commuters. As the city continues to wrestle with the challenges of rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development, it is clear that effective planning and timely execution of such projects will be essential in reducing the impact on residents and ensuring smoother transportation across the city.
