Baba Bhide Bridge at Deccan Gymkhana reopens as Metro footbridge work enters final stage

Motorists and pedestrians can once again use Baba Bhide Bridge at Deccan Gymkhana in Pune. Just before the Diwali shopping days, Maha Metro has eased the long-standing restrictions on the bridge. Diversions put in place during construction had affected movement between JM Road, Deccan Gymkhana and the Peth areas. The reopening will improve that connectivity.

The relaxation follows progress on the foot overbridge (FoB) being built near Deccan Gymkhana Metro station. Earlier, the bridge was kept shut for long periods. Maha Metro will now keep daily traffic running and close the bridge only when a particular construction task cannot be done without it.

A Maha Metro official said that at the current stage of the project there is no longer a need to keep the bridge closed all day. Work on the remaining sections may continue until December. Barricades around the work site will stay for a few more days while work continues.

With the bridge open again, people heading towards JM Road, Lakdi Pul and the Peth areas have regained an important route. Some will no longer have to take long alternative detours. Traffic has not returned to normal everywhere, however. Residents and motorists said there was congestion and jams in parts of Deccan Gymkhana and on nearby roads over the past three days.

On the final work on the footbridge, Maha Metro officials said the main structure of the FoB is ready. The next major stage is the installation of girders. This will be done in several phases and may require temporary traffic restrictions.

Once complete, the walkway will give direct access from Deccan Gymkhana Metro station towards Sadashiv Peth and Narayan Peth. This could make it easier to reach the station and reduce the need for pedestrians to walk along crowded nearby roads.

For now, people can use Baba Bhide Bridge on most days. However, whenever the bridge has to be closed briefly for construction work, pedestrians will need to be careful.