Public Works Department (PWD) has identified 25 bridges across Pune district that require urgent structural repairs. The findings, part of a recent audit conducted on 31 bridges, highlight growing concerns around infrastructure ageing and maintenance gaps in Maharashtra’s fast-developing regions.
PWD officials have confirmed that recommendations from the audit have been submitted to the state government. With necessary approvals now secured, officials have assured that repair work on these vulnerable structures will begin imminently. While routine inspections are an annual protocol, this year’s pre-monsoon audit uncovered structural degradation that officials believe could pose a risk to commuter safety if left unaddressed. Pune district has a total of 830 bridges — 115 categorised as large and 715 as small. A recent inspection drive undertaken in early 2024 focused on 31 of these bridges, strategically spread across tehsils and high-traffic routes. Of these, nine bridges in Junnar tehsil were flagged for critical repairs due to alarming structural weaknesses. In addition, sixteen others spread across Bhigwan, Indapur, Shirur, Baramati and Daund were noted to require minor interventions.
One particularly critical finding emerged from Tulapur, where a major bridge spanning the Indrayani River on State Highway 116 was deemed unsafe for heavy vehicles. Acting swiftly on audit findings, PWD authorities have advised the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to immediately prohibit heavy traffic on this bridge to prevent potential structural failure. An official familiar with the audit process explained that structural assessments involve both destructive and non-destructive testing. Materials are extracted and analysed for durability, and instrumentation is used to assess internal wear and load-bearing capacity. These diagnostics offer precise data on the lifespan and safety quotient of infrastructure.
Each year, bridges across the state undergo inspections twice — once ahead of the monsoon, and once after. Any signs of distress, surface erosion, or unusual flex patterns are flagged for further investigation. If structural audits confirm that a bridge’s condition is compromised, officials decide whether it should be rehabilitated, reinforced, or decommissioned. A senior PWD engineer stated that while a majority of minor repairs identified have already been completed, some major structural works — especially those in Junnar — have commenced but face financial delays. He emphasised that funds are expected soon, and that restoration work will proceed on a priority basis to meet safety benchmarks before the peak monsoon intensifies.
Urban infrastructure experts believe that the issue of ageing bridges and inadequate reinforcement is not unique to Pune. Across India, multiple districts face a similar predicament — legacy structures supporting modern vehicular loads without sufficient upgrades. This mismatch leads to long-term risks if timely audits and repairs are not executed efficiently. Concerns are also mounting over the pace at which development outstrips infrastructure maintenance. As cities like Pune experience rapid urban expansion and increased logistics movement, older infrastructure assets, if not retrofitted in time, could pose considerable threats. The recent audit, thus, acts as both a warning signal and an opportunity for corrective action.
While the PWD is set to address the immediate concerns raised by the audit, stakeholders suggest that the broader conversation must move towards establishing a comprehensive infrastructure lifecycle management framework. This includes scheduled audits, digital monitoring systems, predictive maintenance models, and multi-agency coordination. At the policy level, experts are urging the Maharashtra government to strengthen infrastructure governance by implementing standardised audit protocols, clear budgeting pipelines for repairs, and a publicly accessible database that tracks bridge health over time. Citizen safety, they argue, should be central to infrastructure strategy — especially in regions as economically and demographically significant as Pune.
With the monsoon season underway, the need for swift action becomes even more urgent. Waterlogging, increased pressure due to flow surges, and continuous heavy vehicle movement all add stress to existing structural vulnerabilities. Authorities have reiterated that safety measures such as diversion routes, signage, and traffic advisories will be enforced for bridges under repair. Officials have also expressed plans to incorporate modern engineering practices, including the use of anti-corrosive materials and smart sensors, into the repair and reinforcement stages. These methods aim to extend the life of infrastructure while reducing the long-term cost of reactive maintenance.
The PWD’s current initiative is part of a broader vision for safer and more sustainable transport infrastructure in Maharashtra. While progress is evident, timely delivery and efficient fund utilisation will be crucial to achieving resilience. For Pune’s millions of daily commuters and transporters, the assurance lies not just in audits but in visible, on-ground transformation. What stands at stake is not merely the structural integrity of bridges but the integrity of governance and public trust in the systems meant to protect them.
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