Pune: Demolition of Sadhu Vaswani Bridge Gains Momentum After Last Hurdle Cleared; PMC Aims to Complete Work in Nine Months
PUNE – The long-awaited demolition of the 50-year-old Sadhu Vaswani Bridge, which connects Koregaon Park to the Cantonment area, has gained full momentum after the final hurdle was removed. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) successfully relocated the remaining 20 slum dwellings beneath the bridge to an SRA scheme in Hadapsar, clearing the way for the demolition to proceed without further delay.
Demolition Work in Full Swing
The Sadhu Vaswani Bridge, constructed over a railway line, had been in a deteriorated condition and deemed unsafe for traffic. Due to its crucial role in linking key areas such as Nagar Road, Hadapsar, Pune Station, and Swargate, the bridge’s demolition was postponed multiple times. The primary reasons for the delay included difficulties in securing a continuous railway block from the Railways and resistance from the slum settlement on the Camp side.
While the Koregaon Park side of the bridge had already been demolished and eight new pillars were erected, work on the Camp side had been stalled. However, with the rehabilitation of the slum dwellers now complete, the demolition process has accelerated from February 12.
PMC’s Plan for New Bridge Construction
The PMC, in coordination with the Railways, will dismantle the section over the railway line in phases to ensure uninterrupted train movement. Following the demolition, a new bridge will be constructed within nine months at an estimated cost of ₹83 crore.
To minimize inconvenience to commuters, alternative traffic diversions have been implemented by the traffic police, ensuring smoother vehicular movement during the construction period.
Major Boost to City Connectivity
The Sadhu Vaswani Bridge is a vital connector for thousands of daily commuters traveling between Koregaon Park, the Cantonment area, and VIP Rest House. Once completed, the new bridge is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity between these high-traffic areas.
Chief Engineer Yuvraj Deshmukh confirmed that 50% of the rehabilitation work has been completed, and the remaining huts will be removed shortly. With the demolition work now progressing swiftly, PMC aims to complete the entire bridge reconstruction well within the stipulated timeline.
