Pune News: New Bridge in Bopkhel Set to Open for Traffic, Easing Commute for Citizens and Students

The bridge in Bopkhel will soon be open for traffic, providing convenience for citizens and students by reducing travel distance and time. 

Pimpri: The road from Dapodi to Bopkhel village via the CME area was closed on 13/05/2015 as per the order of the Hon. Mumbai High Court. This closure increased the travel distance from Bopkhel to Dapodi from the previous 2 km to approximately 16 km. Consequently, residents had to take a detour of around 15 to 16 km via Bhosari or Vishrantwadi, Khadki to commute to Pune, causing significant inconvenience for citizens, students, and workers.

On 20/07/2019, a tender process was initiated to build a bridge at the location, and the contractor M/s T&T Infra Ltd. was awarded the project. The tender amount was Rs. 45,46,39.122/-, and the accepted amount was Rs. 53,53,37,594/- (including Royalty + Material Testing). The consultant for the project was M/s Stup Consultants Pvt. Ltd. The work order was issued on 20/07/2019 with a completion period of 24 months, extended till 17/11/2024. The bridge is 1856 meters long and 8.40 meters wide, with approach roads of 58 meters on the Bopkhel side and 262 meters on the Khadki side.

As of now, 98% of the bridge work is complete, and the bridge is planned to open for traffic by the end of August 2024. The project faced delays due to high-voltage power lines and towers of the Mahatransco Department, which were relocated on 18/05/2024. The related civil works are nearing completion.

This project will ease the commute for citizens and students, reducing the travel distance to 2.9 km through the Khadki Cantonment area to Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune city. It will save time and fuel costs for the residents and help maintain environmental balance. “The bridge work is nearing completion and will soon be open for traffic. Coordination with the Defense Department and traffic police officials is underway. This will be convenient for Bopkhel residents and workers, and it will save time for students,” said Pramod Ombhase, Deputy City Engineer, Project Department.