Pune: Shiv Sena Launches “Om Phat Swaha” Protest Over Delayed Opening of Sinhagad Road Flyover
Sinhagad Road, 20th August 2025: Frustrated by the government’s delay in inaugurating the long-completed Sinhagad Road flyover from Vitthalwadi to Manikbag, citizens and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) workers staged a unique protest on Wednesday, demanding the immediate opening of the bridge.
The party organized an “Om Phat Swaha Andolan” on the flyover, symbolically performing a hom-havan (ritual fire) in front of the images of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde. Chanting mantras and raising slogans, the protesters demanded that the bridge be thrown open to traffic without further political delay.
“People are suffering in traffic jams every day while the government is busy waiting for a grand inauguration ceremony. The flyover has been built with taxpayers’ money, not for political showmanship. If the government fails to open the bridge within the next five days, Shiv Sena will inaugurate it with the public in its own way,” warned city chief Sanjay More, who led the protest.
More also alleged that despite CM Fadnavis being in Pune, he avoided the inauguration because the flyover has already developed potholes after just two days of rain.
During the agitation, protesters raised slogans condemning the government for neglecting the daily hardships of Sinhagad Road residents stuck in traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, PMC Project Officer Sambhaji Kotkar, who was present at the site, assured that pending works would be completed within the next four days and that the flyover would be opened for traffic shortly thereafter.
The protest saw participation from city leaders Sanjay More, Gajanan Tharkude, Bharat Kumbharkar, Padma Sorte, Sachin Pasalkar, Santosh Gopal, Nitin Wagh, Mahesh Mate, Gokul Karanjavane, Anant Gharat, Kishor Rajput, Mahesh Pokale, Amol Dangat, Suraj Lokhande, Vaibhav Hanamghar, Parag Thorat, Dilip Poman, Rajabhau Chavan, Shiva Pasalkar, Nana Margale, Nagesh Khadke, Prasad Gijre, Milind Patki, Umesh Surve, Arun Ghoghare, Datta Ghule, Sangram Gaikwad, Nilesh Waghmare, Mahesh Vite, Ganpat Khatpe, Dhananjay Khade, Prathamesh Bhukan, Kalpesh Waje, Ketan Shinde, Vinayak Nalavade, Akash Yadav, along with a large number of local residents.
