Days after news channels aired a report on August 4 claiming that the newly inaugurated flyover on Sinhagad Road was unsafe due to visible cracks, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has clarified that the bridge is structurally sound and there is no cause for concern.
The flyover, inaugurated on May 1, 2025, was reportedly shown with what appeared to be a crack, raising alarms among viewers. However, PMC officials have now confirmed that the feature highlighted in the report is not a crack but a standard expansion joint—a crucial engineering element in concrete bridges.
According to PMC, expansion joints are deliberately designed gaps, around two inches wide, placed between bridge slabs to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete due to weather changes. These joints prevent actual damage and are common in all R.C.C. (Reinforced Cement Concrete) flyovers where slabs are built at 30 to 40 meter intervals.
“The crack shown in the news report is, in fact, an expansion joint and not a structural flaw,” a PMC official said.
He addedd, “Such reporting is misleading and creates unnecessary panic among citizens. We assure the public that the flyover is completely safe for use.”
PMC has urged citizens not to believe in fake or unverified news and to rely on official sources for accurate information regarding public infrastructure.
A video showing what appeared to be a crack on the newly constructed flyover on Sinhagad Road, near Mohite Township, was recently shared by Shiv Sena (UBT) member Mahesh Pokale.
In his post, Pokale raised concerns, stating that the visual has created doubts and worry among local residents. He urged the Pune Municipal Corporation to issue a clear explanation to address public confusion and reassure citizens.
Responding to the concerns, PMC’s Superintending Engineer Dinkar Godraje clarified that the visible line is an expansion joint, not a structural defect. He assured that it is a standard feature in bridge construction and poses no risk to the stability or safety of the flyover.
The flyover was opened after a long delay on May 1 by Ajit Pawar.
Second flyover misses deadline
Meanwhile, as Pune continues to struggle with traffic snarls, incomplete and delayed projects are adding to the woes of Punekars. Among these, the flyovers on Sinhagad Road have been under scrutiny due to missed deadlines. The flyover that was launched on May 1st had already sparked controversy when residents began using it before its official inauguration.
Now the incomplete section of the flyover connecting Wadgaon to Rajaram Bridge on Sinhagad Road is causing daily inconvenience to commuters. The poor condition of the road, worsened by ongoing rainfall, is slowing down traffic and leading to frequent congestion during peak hours.
Speaking to The Free Press Journal on the delay, Dinkar Godraje, PMC’s Superintending Engineer, said, “The work on Sinhagad flyover connecting Indian Hume Pipe to Inamdar Chowk was supposed to be completed by this month. However, due to incessant rain, the work got delayed. The flyover will be inaugurated in August. Only the work of asphalt is remaining because rain can interfere with the curing process of asphalt, which affects the subsoil, and compromises the bond between layers. These issues can result in a weaker, less durable road surface, prone to potholes and premature deterioration. And if we do it in monsoon, people then question the quality. Therefore, the work is pending.”
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed work on its 2.2 km-long lane on one side, while the work on the opposite side lane of 1.54 km from Indian Hume Pipe to Inamdar Chowk was supposed to be completed in June earlier.
