Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has successfully resolved a major roadblock in the Sadhu Vaswani Railway Bridge reconstruction by initiating the removal of over 100 slums near the VIP Guest House. This development will accelerate the demolition of the old bridge, which had become unsafe, and facilitate the construction of a new structure.

The Sadhu Vaswani Bridge, which has been in use for over five decades, was deemed structurally weak and a risk to public safety. Consequently, PMC sanctioned its demolition and reconstruction at a cost of ₹83 crore.

The bridge serves as a vital link between Koregaon Park and the VIP Guest House area, as well as a crucial route for commuters traveling to Nagar Road, Hadapsar, Pune Station, and Swargate. Thousands of vehicles used the bridge daily, making its closure a significant inconvenience for motorists and residents alike. As a precautionary measure, traffic police established alternative routes before the construction work began.

PMC partially dismantled the bridge in an earlier phase, but slums in the surrounding area hindered further progress. Over the past few months, the corporation worked on relocating slum dwellers, a move that met with some opposition.

After prolonged discussions, PMC successfully rehabilitated the affected families in Hadapsar and has now commenced the clearance of remaining slums. As of today, 50% of the eviction work is complete, and authorities expect to remove the remaining structures by tomorrow.

The Dhole Patil Road Ward Office oversaw the relocation of slum dwellers to Survey No. 132 in Hadapsar. With this hurdle resolved, the bridge construction project is set to gain momentum, said Chief Engineer Yuvraj Deshmukh.