Sus-Pashan Bridge : Commuters fume as massive traffic jams affect routine

The work is being monitored by the project department of the Pune Municipal Corporation as per the guidelines of the National Highways Authority of India.

Jigar Hindocha

Pune: As the Pune Municipal Corporation has extended the deadline for the completion of the Sus-Pashan bridge from March 2022 to August 2022, the pace of development is being questioned by the public.

Traffic jams have become a regular affair on the alternative service road ever since commuters started using it. The work on the bridge started in November 2020 and is being monitored by the project department of the Pune Municipal Corporation as per the guidelines of the National Highways Authority of India.

When asked about the project, Ajay Wayase, executive engineer, PMC said, “There was a delay in getting permission to block the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway. Five more months will be required for the completion of the work. Once done, we will open one that side and block the other side.  It is not possible to completely shut the highway.”

Commuters are not willing to buy the explanation. Tushar Tapre, a resident of Susgoan said, “There was less traffic in the last two years. Officials could have added more manpower to speed up the work. I travel daily on the alternate route. The condition of the road is worst.”  

Kuldeep Wyas, a resident of Pashan also says that the PMC should have completed the work of the bridge by now.