Bhide Bridge to Reopen Before August 20; Pune Metro to Run Till 2 AM During Ganeshotsav: Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram

Pune, 21st July 2025: In a significant development ahead of Ganeshotsav, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram announced that the Baba Bhide Bridge, which has been shut for traffic for the past three months, will be reopened before August 20 to ease congestion in the city’s core areas. Additionally, the Pune Metro will extend its services till 2 AM during the festival period to facilitate late-night Ganpati darshan for devotees.

The announcement was made during a coordination meeting held at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday, where officials from the police department, MahaMetro, Ganesh Mandals, and other civic agencies discussed preparations for the upcoming festival.

Relief for Commuters as Bridge Reopens
The Bhide Bridge, a key connector between Narayan Peth and Shaniwar Peth, had been closed since May due to ongoing work on a new pedestrian bridge at Vartak Udyan as part of the Pune Metro project. The Metro line crosses the Mutha River near Khandujibaba Chowk and PMC headquarters, necessitating pedestrian access routes from both banks.

The closure has caused considerable inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians, with many forced to take long detours. “To avoid traffic bottlenecks during Ganeshotsav, especially as lakhs of devotees arrive from areas like Kothrud, Nagar Road, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the Bhide Bridge will be reopened by August 20,” Commissioner Ram confirmed.

Metro Services Extended for Ganeshotsav
Acknowledging the surge in footfall during the ten-day festival, especially in central Pune’s historic Peth areas, Commissioner Ram also directed MahaMetro to extend metro operations till 2 AM during the festival period.

“The Metro now connects directly to the Peth areas via Kasba Peth and Mandai stations, enabling citizens to reach the Ganesh Mandals easily and safely. Extended hours will reduce road traffic and support those who wish to visit pandals late into the night,” he said.

City Administration Gears Up for the Festival
Officials at the meeting assured that the PMC, police, and other agencies are fully prepared to manage crowd control, traffic flow, and civic amenities during Ganeshotsav. The joint efforts are expected to ease pressure on roads and improve public transport usage during one of Pune’s largest cultural celebrations.

Citizens and Mandals welcomed the decisions, hoping for smooth travel and festive celebrations in the traditional heart of the city.