By Tanisha Mohanty
Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis inaugurated Pune’s first pedestrian-only cable bridge over a river on Monday, September 1st. The eye-catching bridge connects the Sambhaji Park metro station with Shaniwar Peth and other areas. “The footbridge on Mutha river is beautiful and is in the central part of the city. It will enable seamless connectivity for Metro travellers. It is an iconic structure that will benefit pedestrians,” said CM Fadanavis.
The bridge will allow an increase in metro accessibility for highly populated Peth localities such as Shaniwar Peth and Narayan Peth. It will provide an additional travel network for pedestrians between Shivajinagar and the city centre. The Vanaz-Ramwadi line–under Pune Metro’s Phase 1 project–is used by two lakh residents already. Thus, Pune Metro officials expect higher ridership and increased commute with the bridge opening. The architecture, engineering and design of the footbridge allows a safer, faster and scenic travel route for residents as well.
The tanpura-shaped structure is also a homage to the city’s musical and cultural heritage, owing to its proximity to Balgandharva Rangmandir. The structure stretches over 179.79 metres in length and 8 metres in width. Further, it comprises a 70-degree angled concrete pylon and is supported by 20 high-tension cables. This makes the bridge the first of its kind in India. The bridge rests on two pillars only, to ensure minimal obstruction of water flow of the Mutha river.
Union minister of State Muralidhar Mohol, Deputy Chairperson of Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe, State Minister for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, MLAs Siddharth Shirole, Hemant Rasane and Sunil Kamble attended the event along with Maha Metro MD Shravan Hardikar and other officials. The event was particularly attended by the CM in response to the backlash faced for delaying inauguration of infrastructural projects, including Pune’s longest flyover on Sinhagad road.