Pune: Khadki-Bopkhel Bridge Nearing Completion, Set to Open by End of August 2024

Pimpri Chinchwad, 26th June 2024: The road connecting Dapodi to Bopkhel village through the College of Military Engineering Pune (CME) area was closed on 13th May 2015, following an order from the Bombay High Court.

This closure significantly increased the travel distance from Bopkhel to Dapodi, extending it from the original 2 km to roughly 16 km. Consequently, residents had to take a detour of about 15 to 16 km through Bhosari or Vishrantwadi, Khadki, causing considerable inconvenience for citizens, students, and workers. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) faced criticism for not completing the bridge works on time.

On 20th July 2019, a tender process began to construct a bridge at this location, and the contract was awarded to T & T Infra Pvt Limited. The tender was valued at Rs. 45,46,39.122/-, and the accepted amount was Rs. 53,53,37,594/- (inclusive of Royalty and Material Testing). STUP Consultants Private Limited served as the consultant for the project. The work order was issued on 20th July 2019, with an initial completion period of 24 months, later extended to 17th November 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.

Currently, 98% of the bridge construction is complete, and it is expected to open for traffic by the end of August 2024. The project experienced delays due to the relocation of high-voltage power lines and towers by the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Mahatransco), which was completed on 18th 2024. The associated civil works are now nearing completion.

Joint City Engineer Pramod Ombhase said, “The work of the bridge is nearing completion and will soon be opened for traffic. Planning is being done in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and traffic police officers. We are happy that the citizens and workers of Bopkhel will be facilitated and the student’s time will be saved.”