Pune: Sadhu Vaswani Railway Overbridge In Koregaon Park Faces Demolition Delay Until After Lok Sabha Elections

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has postponed the demolition of Sadhu Vaswani Railway Overbridge (ROB) until after the Lok Sabha (LS) elections due to a lack of permission from the Pune traffic police department. Despite initial plans to close the bridge for traffic in March, the PMC has encountered hurdles in executing the demolition due to traffic regulation challenges.

The Sadhu Vaswani ROB currently remains open for one-way traffic from Pune Cantonment to Koregaon Park, causing concerns over traffic congestion in surrounding areas such as Nagar Road, Koregaon Park, Bund Garden, Council Hall, and Morwada.

According to PMC officials, the traffic police have deferred permission to halt traffic on the bridge for demolition until after the LS polls. This delay is attributed to potential disruptions during the election period, particularly around the counting venue at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in Koregaon Park.

Initially, the PMC explored the possibility of strengthening the existing structure, but after consulting with experts, it was decided to proceed with the demolition and construction of a new ROB. The proposed new bridge, estimated to cost ₹83 crore, will span 640 meters with an overall width of 17.150 meters and is expected to be completed within two-and-a-half years.

While the PMC had planned to begin demolition work in March, the delay caused by traffic concerns during the LS elections has pushed the timeline for demolition and construction further into the future.