Pune’s urban landscape is nearing completion as the city prepares to unveil a 170-metre tanpura-shaped cable-stayed pedestrian bridge connecting the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Park Metro Station to Shaniwar Peth.
Slated for inauguration by the end of May, this architecturally distinct bridge across the Mutha River is expected to significantly enhance last-mile connectivity and pedestrian safety between Pune’s modern transport system and its bustling heritage precincts. With its deck supported by an asymmetrical pylon and inspired by the silhouette of the Indian classical instrument tanpura, the bridge is not only a feat of engineering but also a cultural statement. Designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, it is equipped with escalators and stairways to ensure accessibility for all users. The structure will be illuminated with programmable LED lighting that allows for dynamic colour displays, lending vibrancy to the cityscape after dusk.
The bridge directly links commuters to key commercial and residential areas such as Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, and surrounding markets, eliminating the need to cross busy roads or take circuitous detours. Urban mobility experts see this as a step toward making Pune more pedestrian-friendly while bridging gaps between old city quarters and the growing metro network. In line with India’s evolving sustainable transport goals, this infrastructure exemplifies a shift towards walkable, transit-integrated cities. Also under construction is the Pagdi Bridge—a 105-metre pedestrian bridge connecting Deccan Metro Station to Narayan Peth—expected to be completed by mid-June. Taking design cues from the traditional Maratha turban, the Pagdi Bridge features an 18-metre-tall bowstring arch and a viewing platform integrated into an 8-metre-wide pathway. Like its tanpura counterpart, this bridge will also incorporate adjustable LED lights, underlining Pune’s intent to blend cultural symbolism with contemporary infrastructure.
Both projects are part of Pune Metro’s broader goal of enabling seamless multimodal connectivity across the city. These pedestrian linkages are vital as the city works towards reducing dependency on personal vehicles, lowering emissions, and fostering inclusive public transport ecosystems. These bridges are more than structures; they are conduits for greener lifestyles and equitable urban design. Meanwhile, the city’s Metro Line 3 project—connecting Shivajinagar to Hinjawadi—is also advancing, though its completion has been deferred to 2026. With trial runs slated for September 2025, the 24-kilometre elevated corridor will feature 23 stations catering to Pune’s burgeoning IT and residential zones.
As Pune evolves into a more connected, environmentally responsible urban centre, infrastructure projects like these pedestrian bridges offer more than transit convenience. They redefine the urban narrative by prioritising accessibility, safety, cultural identity, and climate-conscious design. For a city rooted in tradition and aspiring toward smart-city status, this harmonious blend of form and function is both symbolic and strategic. Pune’s urban landscape is nearing completion as the city prepares to unveil a 170-metre tanpura-shaped cable-stayed pedestrian bridge connecting the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Park Metro Station to Shaniwar Peth. Slated for inauguration by the end of May, this architecturally distinct bridge across the Mutha River is expected to significantly enhance last-mile connectivity and pedestrian safety between Pune’s modern transport system and its bustling heritage precincts.
With its deck supported by an asymmetrical pylon and inspired by the silhouette of the Indian classical instrument tanpura, the bridge is not only a feat of engineering but also a cultural statement. Designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, it is equipped with escalators and stairways to ensure accessibility for all users. The structure will be illuminated with programmable LED lighting that allows for dynamic colour displays, lending vibrancy to the cityscape after dusk. The bridge directly links commuters to key commercial and residential areas such as Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, and surrounding markets, eliminating the need to cross busy roads or take circuitous detours. Urban mobility experts see this as a step toward making Pune more pedestrian-friendly while bridging gaps between old city quarters and the growing metro network. In line with India’s evolving sustainable transport goals, this infrastructure exemplifies a shift towards walkable, transit-integrated cities.
Also under construction is the Pagdi Bridge—a 105-metre pedestrian bridge connecting Deccan Metro Station to Narayan Peth—expected to be completed by mid-June. Taking design cues from the traditional Maratha turban, the Pagdi Bridge features an 18-metre-tall bowstring arch and a viewing platform integrated into an 8-metre-wide pathway. Like its tanpura counterpart, this bridge will also incorporate adjustable LED lights, underlining Pune’s intent to blend cultural symbolism with contemporary infrastructure. Both projects are part of Pune Metro’s broader goal of enabling seamless multimodal connectivity across the city. These pedestrian linkages are vital as the city works towards reducing dependency on personal vehicles, lowering emissions, and fostering inclusive public transport ecosystems. These bridges are more than structures; they are conduits for greener lifestyles and equitable urban design.
Meanwhile, the city’s Metro Line 3 project—connecting Shivajinagar to Hinjawadi—is also advancing, though its completion has been deferred to 2026. With trial runs slated for September 2025, the 24-kilometre elevated corridor will feature 23 stations catering to Pune’s burgeoning IT and residential zones. As Pune evolves into a more connected, environmentally responsible urban centre, infrastructure projects like these pedestrian bridges offer more than transit convenience. They redefine the urban narrative by prioritising accessibility, safety, cultural identity, and climate-conscious design. For a city rooted in tradition and aspiring toward smart-city status, this harmonious blend of form and function is both symbolic and strategic.
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