The Bombay High Court has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to urgently acquire land and open the long-delayed Wakad-Balewadi bridge, constructed in 2019 at a cost of ₹31 crore but rendered unusable due to incomplete road connectivity. The order, issued on April 15, 2025, mandates the PMC to fast-track acquisition of 200 sqm of private land near Kaspate Chowk to operationalize the bridge, which could slash travel time between Wakad and Balewadi by 40 minutes for 2.5 lakh daily commuters.
The 175-meter bridge over the Mula River was designed to directly link Pune’s Balewadi-Baner areas (PMC jurisdiction) with Wakad-Kaspate Wasti (PCMC jurisdiction), bypassing the congested Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway. However, lack of road access on the Balewadi side has forced residents into an 8-km detour, exacerbating traffic chaos and fuel costs. Advocate Satya Muley, representing petitioners, argued, “The PMC’s delays have turned this infrastructure into a hub for illegal parking and garbage dumping.”
A bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe ordered PMC’s land acquisition department to “immediately consider the proposal” and complete formalities, citing the ₹25 crore allocated in March 2025 for the purpose. The PMC’s affidavit admitted forwarding acquisition files to the land department on April 7, but residents remain skeptical. “We’ll return to court in six months if no progress is made,” warned Muley.
The ruling coincides with Pune’s metro expansion, including the upcoming Shivajinagar-Baner-Balewadi-Hinjawadi line (74% complete), aimed at easing congestion in western Pune. Meanwhile, a new 32.4-km service road along the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway, set for completion by 2027, promises additional relief.