Pune: The demolition of eight bridges between Phursungi and Wadki, constructed a decade ago but never used, has sparked criticism from local residents. These bridges, built over streams and drains, remained idle as the connecting roads were never completed, and they are now being replaced as part of the ongoing Palkhi Highway construction.
The Phursungi to Saswad stretch of the Palkhi Highway is currently under development. As part of this project, the eight bridges, which were originally built ten years ago, are now being torn down. While these structures were completed at the time, the roads leading to them were never constructed, rendering them non-functional.
Locals have expressed frustration, questioning why taxpayer money was spent on bridges that never served their purpose. They argue that better planning could have prevented this unnecessary expense.
Waste of Public Money: Residents like Akash Bahule believe that the administration failed in its planning. "If a bridge has to be demolished without ever being used, isn’t this a clear waste of public money?" he questioned.
Lost Opportunity to Reduce Traffic Congestion: Another local, Pravin Modak, pointed out that had the bridges been operational, they could have helped ease congestion and reduce accident risks. "Not even pedestrians have used these bridges, and now additional money is being spent just to tear them down," he added.
National Highway Authority’s Justification: Abhijit Awati, Manager of the National Highway Department, explained that the old bridges were built by the Public Works Department and do not align with the new highway’s design and measurements.
"For the safety of travelers and residents, it is essential to rebuild them. Even small structural mismatches on a highway cannot be overlooked," he stated.