The Bombay High Court has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation and the district collector to complete the acquisition of a 10-guntha (10,890 sq ft) land parcel within one year to build an approach road to the Balewadi–Wakad bridge. The court observed that despite the bridge being fully constructed for over eight years, it remains unused due to unresolved land acquisition and compensation issues related to the approach route.
The bridge connects Baner–Balewadi with Wakad across the Mula River, an area that has witnessed rapid population and commercial growth over the past two decades. Taking note of public inconvenience, the court emphasized the urgency of completing the acquisition process under the applicable land acquisition law. The civic body informed the court that it is willing to deposit compensation and initiate proceedings immediately. While the landowner has agreed to acquisition subject to fair compensation, the court kept open his right to raise claims related to alleged prior use of land during bridge construction, in accordance with law