Pune Municipal Corporation is facing criticism for reducing the height of the flyover bridge currently under construction to connect Suncity and Karvenagar, with concerns that the bridge may be at risk of submerging during heavy monsoon rains.
The bridge, part of the plan to alleviate traffic congestion on Sinhagad Road, has been lowered on the Karvenagar side due to a lack of space for the ramp.
This decision has led to worries that the Suncity side of the bridge, which will be lower than the rest of the structure, could go underwater if 40,000 to 45,000 cusecs of water are released during the rainy season.
During a previous flood, water levels had already reached the girder of the bridge with just 35,000 cusecs of water. The bridge is expected to be completed within the next year, but its long-term functionality is being questioned.
The height reduction was necessary on the Karvenagar side due to a lack of space for the ramp, which is only 50 meters long. In contrast, the Suncity side has 150 meters of space, allowing for a gradual descent.
However, the reduction has raised eyebrows, as two major real estate developments are underway on the Suncity side, which will now have direct access to the bridge road. Initially, part of the land from these projects was to be used for a service road, but with the reduced height, this is no longer required.
Residents are questioning whether the height was lowered for technical reasons or to benefit these real estate developers. Should heavy rains lead to the release of higher volumes of water, the Suncity side of the bridge may be submerged, potentially forcing its closure.
