Bhide Bridge in Pune Reopens for Traffic from October 11 to Ease Diwali Congestion

To manage Diwali shopping rush and traffic jams, Pune traffic police will reopen Bhide Bridge to vehicles between 6 am and 10 pm daily from October 11 until further notice.

Pune | October 9, 2025 — Pune traffic authorities have reopened Bhide Bridge to vehicular traffic from October 11 to ease congestion during the Diwali shopping season. The bridge had been closed for several months due to construction of a pedestrian cable bridge linking the Deccan Metro station to Narayan Peth. Authorities expect the reopening to significantly reduce traffic jams and improve connectivity between central Pune areas, particularly Deccan and Shaniwar Peth.

The bridge will remain open daily from 6 am to 10 pm until further notice. Traffic officials explained that the step aims to distribute vehicles more evenly across the city center, alleviating pressure on parallel routes such as Tilak Road, Jangli Maharaj Road, and Laxmi Road, which experience heavy congestion during festival periods. Local residents, shopkeepers, and commuters have welcomed this move, noting that closure of the bridge had forced longer detours and increased travel times across mid-Pune.

Bhide Bridge is located near the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) building and serves as a vital connector for residents and commercial areas. Initially, the bridge was closed in April to construct the pedestrian structure connecting metro commuters and pedestrians to central shopping zones. Although the construction was originally scheduled to be completed in 45 days, multiple delays extended the closure, causing public inconvenience.

During Ganeshotsav earlier this year, the bridge had been temporarily reopened to manage festival traffic. However, it was closed again in September to continue construction work. Citizens had repeatedly appealed to traffic authorities to reopen the bridge before Diwali, citing the festive rush and safety concerns for pedestrians and vehicles navigating narrow city lanes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Himmat Jadhav, said the decision to reopen Bhide Bridge was based on projected high influxes of shoppers and increased vehicular traffic. Firecracker stalls along riverbank roads, parked vehicles, and dense pedestrian movement often exacerbate congestion in the area during Diwali evenings, making the bridge reopening a timely intervention.

In addition to reopening the bridge, Pune traffic authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on heavy vehicles along the Pune–Bengaluru highway stretch between Katraj and Kivale during peak hours. These restrictions, effective from October 15, bar heavy vehicles from traversing the section between 8 am–11 am and 5 pm–9 pm. Exceptions are provided for essential services such as fuel, milk, and agricultural transport. Authorities aim to reduce delays and facilitate smoother movement for festival shoppers and commuters.

Residents and business owners in Narayan Peth and surrounding areas have expressed relief at the reopening. The bridge is expected to restore normal connectivity, reduce travel time, and support local commerce by improving access to central shopping streets. Authorities have also requested citizens to follow traffic regulations, avoid illegal parking, and use alternative routes when necessary to maximize the benefits of the reopening.

Officials will continue monitoring traffic patterns during the Diwali period and may adjust timings or implement additional measures if congestion persists. For commuters, this reopening provides timely relief and demonstrates the city’s effort to manage urban traffic effectively during peak festival activity.

With Diwali approaching, reopening Bhide Bridge is being seen as a strategic measure to balance pedestrian and vehicular flow, enhance public safety, and ease traffic pressures in one of Pune’s busiest central corridors.

Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Also Read- Pune