Pune, 8th April 2026: The Sadhu Vaswani Bridge project has become a point of contention between the police and civic administration, as delays in construction continue to impact daily commuters.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar had recently expressed strong displeasure over the slow pace of work and recommended blacklisting the contractor.
The move came after multiple complaints from citizens facing severe traffic congestion in Koregaon Park, Bund Garden, and North Main Road areas due to the ongoing construction.
However, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has stepped in to defend the contractor, stating that the delay is not due to inefficiency but a result of unavoidable technical challenges.
According to officials, the project has faced hurdles such as obtaining railway permissions, underground water pipeline work, and other engineering constraints.
The bridge, which connects Koregaon Park and Camp areas, was deemed unsafe after being in use for over 50 years. PMC had decided to demolish the old structure and construct a new one.
Although the foundation ceremony was completed earlier, actual construction picked up only after media reports highlighted the delay.
The ongoing work has forced motorists to take longer alternative routes, leading to frequent traffic jams. With the monsoon approaching, authorities fear that the situation could worsen further.
Originally scheduled for completion within 18 months by May 2026, the project is now expected to be finished by August 2026. PMC officials have said they will formally communicate the updated status to the police commissioner.
“Delays in the project are due to railway permissions, underground water pipeline work, and other technical factors. The contractor is not responsible for the slowdown. We will inform the Police Commissioner about the current status through an official communication,” said Dinkar Gojare, head of PMC’s special projects department.