In Pune, the Baba Bhide bridge in the Deccan Gymkhana area has reopened to vehicles, according to The Times of India, Pune. The reopening is expected to ease traffic for commuters on JM Road, in Deccan Gymkhana and in the Peth areas.
Foot overbridge work in final phase
According to Maha Metro, the bridge had been shut for several months while work on a foot overbridge (FoB) was carried out. That work has now reached its last phase, and the bridge no longer needs to be closed for the entire day. Future closures will be planned only when needed for the remaining work. On other days, the bridge is to remain open to both vehicles and pedestrians.
Maha Metro plans to finish the remaining FoB work by December.
Commuter concerns
Some commuters have asked that the remaining work be scheduled during night hours or on lean days and holidays, and that a full closure be avoided. Vikas Limaye, a commuter in the area, said traffic around Bhide bridge had faced heavy snarls for the previous three days, even with the bridge open to vehicles. He said the closure was slowing traffic on JM Road, Lakdi Pul and in the Deccan Gymkhana and Peth areas.
Narayan Peth resident Vikas Kale said the closure had affected traffic on Kelkar Road, Laxmi Road and Narayan Peth, and that Lakdi Pul was seeing heavy traffic. He asked the Metro administration to set a deadline for completing the work.
What comes next
Maha Metro officials said the basic structure of the FoB is ready and that girder launching will be carried out in phases. Road barricading will remain at the site for some days. Once complete, the FoB is expected to give Metro passengers direct access from Deccan Gymkhana station to Sadashiv Peth and Narayan Peth.