Pune: Chinchwad Flyover to Be Demolished, New Bridge Construction Approved

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has announced plans to demolish the aging railway flyover near Chinchwad station, connecting the Pune-Mumbai highway to Chinchwad village. Following a structural audit and recommendations from the Railway Department, the bridge has been declared unsafe due to the expiration of its lifespan.

Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh has approved the appointment of a consultant to design the new flyover. The tendering process for demolition and construction is expected to begin within three months after securing approval from the Railway Department. Financial provisions for the project are already being made.

Key Developments:

• Structural Audit Findings: Expert organizations and the Pimpri-Chinchwad College of Engineering confirmed the deteriorating condition of the 47-year-old bridge. The Railway Department has advised immediate demolition to ensure safety.
• Traffic Restrictions: Heavy vehicles and buses have been rerouted via Dalvi Nagar, causing inconvenience to commuters. Currently, only light vehicles are permitted on the old bridge.
• Parallel Bridge Construction: A new railway flyover has been approved in principle to replace the unsafe structure. The consultant’s design will expedite the approval and construction process.

Other Unsafe Flyovers in the Region:

The Indira Gandhi Flyover in Pimpri Camp, the city’s first, faces a similar fate. Despite strengthening efforts over the last three years, the Railway Department has declared it unsafe and recommended its demolition. Strengthening work on the 40-year-old bridge is nearly complete, temporarily extending its lifespan by five to ten years. Further audits will determine its long-term usability.

Residents and commuters are bracing for potential disruptions as PCMC works to address the infrastructural challenges while ensuring public safety. The simultaneous demolition and reconstruction of critical flyovers will significantly impact traffic management across the city.