Pune: The long-awaited construction of a pedestrian bridge at Chandani Chowk in Pune has finally begun, bringing relief to thousands of commuters who use this busy route daily.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the work, with pillars on both sides of the bridge already being erected. The entire project is expected to be completed within the next three months.

The new pedestrian bridge, which will cost approximately ₹7 crore, is set to span 125 meters in length and 6.6 meters in width. It is being built to connect the area between Pashan and the bus stop towards Mumbai.

This project comes as part of a larger initiative by NHAI to improve infrastructure in the Chandani Chowk area, following the successful construction of a main road with eight ramps.

The new road, built at a cost of ₹865 crore, has already eased the notorious traffic congestion in Chandani Chowk, significantly increasing its capacity from 32,000 vehicles per day to about 1.5 lakh.

Despite the improvements in traffic flow, pedestrians faced significant challenges in crossing the busy road, especially those trying to catch state transport buses heading towards Mumbai. This issue prompted citizens to demand a pedestrian bridge for safer travel.

Responding to public concerns, NHAI submitted a proposal for the bridge six to seven months ago, which was approved last month. The bridge will allow pedestrians to cross the road safely, removing the need to risk crossing the bustling traffic lanes.

Sanjay Kadam, the Project Manager for NHAI in Pune, confirmed that the bridge construction is expected to be completed within three months, ensuring a much safer passage for pedestrians.

The bridge will particularly benefit those catching buses to Mumbai, providing a direct and secure route to the bus stop without the dangers of crossing the highway.