The construction of the Butterfly Bridge over the Pawana River, designed to connect Thergaon and Chinchwad, has remained unfinished even after seven years and a cost escalation to 40 crores, up from the original budget of 25 crores. The project has faced multiple delays, and while the contractor’s extended deadline is set for January 26, there are growing concerns that the work may not be completed by then.
It is worthy to note that the construction of the bridge began in 2017, to link Thergaon and Chinchwad. The initial tender was awarded to Dhaneshwar Construction Private Limited, which submitted a bid of Rs. 28.71 crores—14% lower than its competitors. The bridge is 107 meters long and 18 meters wide, designed without any pillars in the riverbed to ensure uninterrupted water flow.
Despite an initial completion timeline of 18 months, the project has experienced significant delays. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) extended the deadline to October 31, 2022, but further complications led to another extension until January 26, 2025. Currently, one side of the bridge remains incomplete, and it is uncertain whether the work will be finished within the new timeframe.
The delay has been attributed to several factors, including objections from a nearby housing society and required design modifications that led to increased costs. PCMC engineers have also noted that additional work is needed for road construction on both sides of the bridge.
Once completed, the Butterfly Bridge is expected to ease traffic congestion in the area. Currently, heavy vehicles are limited to two existing bridges over the Pawana River, one of which is too narrow to accommodate larger traffic. The new bridge will provide smoother travel between Thergaon and Chinchwad, benefiting commuters.
A PCMC official stated that the delay was caused by objections from a housing society. A meeting was held with the society’s officials and contractors, and work resumed once the society granted its approval. The cost of the project has risen due to an increase in the bridge’s height.