Pune: In a move to address traffic congestion at Mukundraj Ambedkar Chowk in Vishrantwadi, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) dismantled two pedestrian bridges to make way for the construction of a flyover and grade separator. These bridges have found new uses in other parts of the city, benefiting both students and local residents.

Addressing Traffic Congestion

Mukundraj Ambedkar Chowk, a key traffic junction in Vishrantwadi, has long been plagued by traffic snarls. To alleviate this, PMC initiated a project to construct a flyover and a grade separator. As part of the project, two existing pedestrian bridges in the area were dismantled by the Special Projects Department.

Relocation to Serve Public Needs

One of these dismantled bridges has been relocated to Jangli Maharaj Road, connecting the hostel and playground of the College of Engineering Pune (COEP). The relocation was in response to a request from COEP, which had previously provided land for road widening and requested a safe pedestrian crossing facility for its students.

The second pedestrian bridge is being installed in Pratiknagar near Vishrantwadi, where residents have faced challenges crossing the busy Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. The new bridge is expected to significantly improve pedestrian safety in the area.

Cost-Effective Reuse

According to Yuvraj Deshmukh, Chief Engineer of the PMC Special Projects Department, reusing the dismantled bridges from Vishrantwadi has resulted in significant cost savings. “The work near COEP has been completed, and installation in Pratiknagar is underway. This approach has not only met public needs but also ensured efficient utilization of resources,” he said.