Baba Bhide bridge reopens in Pune before Diwali, easing traffic on JM Road and in Peth areas

Pune, November 7, 2026: Vehicles are again moving on the Baba Bhide bridge at Deccan Gymkhana, just before the Diwali shopping rush begins. After months of restrictions, the reopening has brought relief to people travelling between JM Road, Deccan Gymkhana and the Peth areas.

Maha Metro has eased the curbs. The foot overbridge (FoB) being built at the bridge site has reached its final stage, so the restrictions have been partly lifted. On most days the bridge will now be open to both vehicles and pedestrians. It will be closed only when a specific construction task requires it.

A Maha Metro official said the bridge no longer needs to be kept shut for the whole day. The remaining work is expected to be completed by December. Barricading at the site will continue for a few more days.

The reopening has eased the traffic pressure on JM Road, Lakdi Pul and parts of the Deccan Gymkhana and Peth areas. However, daily commuters said the surrounding area remained congested for the past three days despite the bridge reopening.

According to officials, the basic structure of the foot overbridge is ready. Launching of the girders will be done in phases. Once this work is complete, the FoB will give people going from the Deccan Gymkhana metro station towards Sadashiv Peth and Narayan Peth a direct route.

For now, traffic is moving on the bridge, but the work is not fully finished. Barricading will stay for a few more days, and the bridge may be closed from time to time if needed. The target is to finish the remaining construction by December so that a walkway opens from the metro station to both Peth areas.