However, as the year draws to a close, residents report zero visible progress. The promised “missing link” remains absent, and review meetings between the district administration and the PMC have yet to translate into on-ground action, leaving the court’s directive and the corporation’s promises unfulfilled.
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-22 at 9.38.32 AM
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-22 at 9.38.32 AM
Residents Voice Daily Struggles and Bafflement:
· Mukund Damakale, resident of Nisarg Pooja Society, Wakad: “The work on the PCMC side of the Wakad-Balewadi road is fully complete. The remaining work is pending solely from the PMC side. If they could just complete that last half-kilometer patch quickly, it would bring immense relief to thousands of citizens stuck in traffic every day.”
· Vikas Babar, resident of Kalptaru Harmony: “It’s ironic and frustrating. This bridge has been closed for years, and soon it will enter its maintenance period. So, not only have taxpayers not derived any benefit from this ₹31 crore structure, but we will also start paying for its upkeep. My only plea is that the pending work is completed at the earliest.”
· Suresh Pawar, Rajyog Society, Balewadi: “This bridge work has been stalled for an unacceptably long time. We still have no clear answer from the authorities on why it has been pending for so many years. Our expectation is simple: complete the work quickly to solve our traffic woes and finally connect Wakad and Balewadi properly.”
Former Corporators Point to Logjams and Offer Timelines:
· Aarti Chondhe, Ex-Corporator, Wakad: “The portion under PCMC jurisdiction is fully done. The delay is entirely due to pending land acquisitions by the PMC. Based on discussions with officials, we have been assured that the acquisition process will be finalized by the end of January 2025, work will commence immediately after, and the road should be open for citizens within a year from that point.”
· Sandeep kaspate, Ex-Corporator: “Approximately 80-90% of the total road work is already finished. Once the remaining work is wrapped up, the road can be opened. The PCMC has completed its part; the work is pendinh from pmc for which they have addured us that soon they will finish the work. We are continuously following up to ensure this road becomes operational for citizens at the earliest.”
Amol Balwadkar, Ex-Corporator, Balewadi:
“Approximately 90% of the land acquisition is complete, and only about 10% is pending. Discussions are currently ongoing with the concerned farmers regarding this. The formal process for land acquisition is strictly underway. Out of the total 1600-meter road connecting to the bridge, only about 150 meters remain. The bridge itself is fully built. Of the connecting 1600-meter road, work on 1400 to 1450 meters is finished. The work is pending solely because of the delay in acquiring the remaining 150-200 meters of land. Once that is done, the work will be completed very quickly.
We are in talks with the local landowners, and if absolutely necessary, we are prepared to initiate land acquisition under the relevant Land Acquisition Act to start the work. However, for all these steps, a certain amount of procedural time has to be given, after which action will be taken. Currently, we are still in the negotiation phase with the farmers. The work is pending partly because the new governance rules (Achar Sanhita) have come into effect, but we aim to start the physical work within the next 1-2 months. Once the deadlock is broken, this project will gain momentum.
“I myself have been following up on this matter for several years, corresponding with Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Patil and the administration regarding the necessary clearances. I reiterate, about 90% of the land acquisition is already done. We just need to complete the remaining 10% quickly. Once this impasse is resolved, all pending work will gain speed, and we will swiftly complete the project to open this road for the citizens,” added Balwadkar.
Dilip Kale, Executive Engineer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), “There are nine major stakeholders involved in this last patch. They are not ready to accept FSI/TDR (Floor Space Index/Transferable Development Rights) as compensation. Their demand is for direct road compensation.”
Now, regarding the compensation amount, the share that the corporation is responsible for—which is 30% of the total—we have already paid to the Collector’s office. So, once the funds are sanctioned and formally handed over, the work will begin very quickly. This process is currently in its final stage. We have paid ₹25 crores to the Collector’s office. What remains is the official order to be passed. Once that happens, we will start the work. Work is already ongoing on the land that is available. We just need to quickly finish the work on the remaining portion.”
As Pune’s western suburbs continue to grapple with crippling traffic congestion, the idle ₹31 crore bridge serves as a daily reminder of a vital link lost to red tape and incomplete planning. The completion of the final 200 meters now stands as a critical test of the administration’s ability to deliver on its promises to its citizens.
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