Pune: Maha Metro will halt work on the cable-stayed bridge from next week to reopen the Baba Bhide Bridge for commuters ahead of Ganeshotsav.This move will bring respite to regular commuters, and also help the administration manage the rush of devotees and vehicles during the festival which begins on Aug 27.“All the machinery and cranes will be moved from the site. Safety measures will be deployed to clear the carriageway and walkway for citizens. The contractors have been told to execute the shifting of machinery and other materials in the next few days,” a Maha Metro official said.Several Ganesh mandals demanded the reopening of the key bridge during a meeting with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials.The civic administration and Pune traffic police department directed Maha Metro officialsto finish maximum work by Aug 20 and open the Bhide Bridge for commuters.“The work on the cable-stayed bridge, for which Bhide Bridge has been kept shut for vehicles, is still not over. We will, however, stop the work during the duration of the festival,” the Metro official added.Maha Metro is constructing a cable-stayed bridge above Bhide Bridge for Metro commuters to reach the Deccan Gymkhana Metro station from Narayan Peth. Vehicular movement on Bhide Bridge has been shut since April.
