Pune: Traffic chaos erupted in Yerawada on May 9, as a pothole formed on the Tarkeshwar Bridge, causing a significant traffic jam on one of the city’s key routes. The issue arose from damage to the bridge’s expansion joint, which led to a dangerous situation for commuters. To ensure safety, traffic police set up barricades, and the bridge will be closed for three days for necessary repairs.
The damage was first noticed on the morning of May 8, when the expansion joint’s asphalt and concrete cracked, creating a pothole right in the middle of the bridge. This created confusion among drivers, especially during the busy morning hours when office-goers and students typically pass through. The jam stretched from Gunjan Chowk to the middle of the bridge, and due to the risk of accidents, the police diverted traffic where possible.
As the bridge continued to shake under the weight of passing vehicles, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s project department stepped in and decided to rebuild the damaged section.
The incident has raised concerns about the quality of construction on the Tarkeshwar Bridge, which thousands of vehicles cross every day. Citizens and activists are questioning whether the damage was due to neglected repairs and delays by authorities.
Earlier this year, the PMC’s project department began conducting structural audits of bridges across Pune to assess their condition. During this process, repairs were carried out on the Tarkeshwar Bridge’s expansion joint, followed by asphalt laying and cement work. However, due to the bridge’s high traffic volume, it was reopened before the concrete had fully set. Sources within the PMC suggest that this early reopening, combined with subpar work quality, led to the current damage and subsequent pothole.
