By Hanika Kashyap
Good news for the residents and daily commuters of Pune, Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to construct a Rs 133 crore double-decker bridge across the Mula-Mutha river, providing connectivity between Hadaspur and Kharadi. The first level of the bridge is set to be a flyover for vehicular traffic, while the second level will have a metro rail.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior PMC officer expressed how the double-decker bridge will help lessen the traffic problems on the already established river bridge between Mundhwa and Kharadi. They further stated that the new bridge will pass alongside the existing river bridge that trails from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Chowk in Mundhwa. The construction will enable vehicles to travel at a speed of 80 km per hour.
Interestingly, while the Hadaspur area is a well-established IT sector of Pune, the Kharadi area is only emerging. However, the growth is rapid.
About the Rs 133 crore project, a four-lane, two-way flyover will run from Hadaspur to Kharadi Bypass Road. Slip roads and footpaths will be constructed alongside the flyover. Affected utilities will be affected as part of the project. Retailing walls will be built for structural support. An underground stormwater line will carry rainwater from the grade separator to the river.
Moreover, the double-decker bridge will also comprise a single integrated pier for the upcoming flyover and the Ramgati to Swargate Metro line. The PMC officer added saying that the integrated pillars will be constructed for the bridge. Plus, the cost of the metro-related work will be recovered from the Pune Metro.
The 796 metres long bridge will extend to 148 metres long on the Hadaspur side and 136 metres long on the Kharadi side. The carriage width will be 1.5 metres for vehicles. The design will be handed over to Pune Metro for a final check to see if the structure meets the expectations for the elevated route of the Pune Metro.
The existing road, which faces a ton of traffic, will be redeveloped to connect the road from Bund Garden to the Mundhwa River near the Old Mundhwa River Bridge.
Lastly, the Union Government has already approved the development of the Metro rail route from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Hadaspur.