The prolonged closure of a critical river crossing over the Indrayani in Pune’s northern periphery has triggered mounting frustration among residents, who say repair work has progressed slowly despite months of restricted access. The bridge, linking Charholi Khurd and Charholi Budruk, was shut late last year after a structural review deemed it unsafe, disrupting mobility across several fast-growing settlements.
The closure followed a wider safety audit of bridges across the district after a fatal collapse in Maval in mid-2025. Since then, commuters from Charholi and neighbouring villages have been rerouted via Alandi, adding roughly four to five kilometres to daily journeys. In peak hours, the diversion has led to bottlenecks, longer travel times and increased fuel consumption. Residents in Charholi and Wadmukhwadi point out that the bridge serves not only local households but also workers commuting to industrial zones in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Schoolchildren, small business operators and agricultural suppliers have been among those affected. Emergency access has also emerged as a concern, with diverted routes reportedly witnessing congestion that could delay ambulances and fire services.
Local elected representatives confirm that requests have been made to the Public Works Department (PWD) to accelerate the repair timeline. According to a senior PWD official, structural rehabilitation began recently after design approvals were secured and specialised components were fabricated outside the state. The department has indicated that completion is targeted for early April, subject to weather and logistical factors. Urban planners note that the episode highlights the vulnerability of peri-urban infrastructure amid rapid expansion. Charholi and adjoining areas have witnessed steady real estate growth over the past decade, driven by proximity to employment hubs and improved road connectivity. However, legacy infrastructure including bridges and narrow arterial roads often struggles to keep pace with rising traffic volumes.
The Indrayani bridge delay also carries environmental implications. Extended detours increase vehicular emissions and undermine efforts to promote efficient, low-carbon mobility. Experts argue that infrastructure resilience audits must be paired with time-bound execution frameworks to prevent economic and social disruption. As Pune’s metropolitan footprint extends outward, maintaining smaller but strategically vital connectors such as the Indrayani bridge becomes critical to inclusive growth. The coming weeks will test whether agencies can restore connectivity swiftly while ensuring structural safety a balance increasingly central to sustainable urban governance.
