Pune: ₹20-Crore Beautification Of Underused Aundh–Bopodi Bridge Sparks Public Concern
Pune: ₹20-Crore Beautification Of Underused Aundh–Bopodi Bridge Sparks Public Concern
Pune, December 11, 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised serious questions over the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations’ decision to spend ₹20 crore on beautifying a bridge that witnesses minimal traffic, alleging that the move is intended to benefit a private builder.
AAP state spokesperson Mukund Kirdat criticised the expenditure, asking why taxpayers’ money should be spent for “the convenience of builders.” The bridge connecting Aundh Road Ambedkar Chowk–Bopodi to Old Sangvi was inaugurated last year. Built in 2021 at a cost of ₹35 crore, the project was jointly funded by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the Pune Municipal Corporation, and formally opened in October 2024 by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
However, soon after its inauguration, concerns were raised about its limited usage. Traffic on the bridge has remained very low, with commuters from Khadki to Sangvi forced to take a long U-turn. Since the bridge does not start directly at Ambedkar Chowk, several vehicles from Bopodi reportedly travel in the wrong direction to access it. Residents also complained that the deserted bridge was being misused for racing and alcohol consumption.
Despite this, the bridge has now been closed for three months to facilitate a ₹20-crore beautification project.
According to AAP, the Old Sangvi end of the bridge is surrounded by narrow internal lanes with negligible traffic. Yet the bridge was built 18 metres wide. Kirdat alleged that the real purpose was to provide convenient access to two large 8-hectare private land parcels covered with green zones on the Sangvi side, which builders are looking to develop. He further claimed that some former corporators and leaders pushed for the beautification at the behest of these private interests, with Ajit Pawar supporting the proposal.
Kirdat also pointed out that the bridge falls within the blue flood line, meaning it would submerge during flooding, raising doubts about the logic behind spending a further ₹20 crore on its beautification.
Calling the move “wasteful expenditure,” AAP said the funds should instead be used for more essential works in the surrounding areas, such as improving Bhau Patil Road and Khadki Road, addressing traffic congestion, installing CCTV cameras, upgrading stormwater drains, and building protective flood walls.
Mukund Kirdat reiterated that the beautification plan represents “misuse of public money for private benefit.”
