Mhatre Bridge is an important road bridge across the Mutha River in Pune, connecting Erandwane with Dattawadi and providing a useful link between Karve Road, Kothrud and the Sinhagad Road side of the city. Located close to the Deccan-Erandwane belt, the bridge is an everyday route for commuters travelling between western Pune and neighbourhoods south of the Mutha River.
The bridge was inaugurated on 27 October 1980 and has since become such a familiar landmark that “Mhatre Bridge” is also widely used as the name of the surrounding locality and DP Road area. Before the bridge opened, commuters from Erandwane and Karve Road had fewer convenient options for crossing towards central and southern Pune. Mhatre Bridge therefore helped create a more direct connection between two rapidly developing parts of the city.
Its importance continues to grow because the bridge also sits on Pune’s developing Shivane-Kharadi riverside road corridor, which is intended to provide another east-west route across the city and reduce dependence on congested roads such as Karve Road and Sinhagad Road.
Quick Overview of Mhatre Bridge
| Particular | Details |
| Name | Mhatre Bridge |
| Location | Pune, Maharashtra |
| River | Mutha River |
| Connects | Erandwane and Dattawadi |
| Inaugurated | 27 October 1980 |
| Major Western Connection | Erandwane, Karve Road and Kothrud |
| Major Southern Connection | Dattawadi and Sinhagad Road |
| Nearby Areas | Erandwane, Dattawadi, Karvenagar, Deccan and Navi Peth |
| Important Road | DP Road/Shivane-Kharadi riverside corridor |
| Nearby Metro Access | Nal Stop Metro Station |
| Public Transport | PMPML buses, autos and cabs |
| Named After | Indian diplomat Ravindra Hareshwar Mhatre |
| Known For | Mutha River crossing and west-south Pune connectivity |
The commemorative plaque on the bridge records that the Erandwane-Dattawadi connection was inaugurated on 27 October 1980.
Where is Mhatre Bridge Located?
Mhatre Bridge crosses the Mutha River between Erandwane on the northern side and Dattawadi on the southern side.
The Erandwane end provides convenient access towards Karve Road, Nal Stop, Deccan Gymkhana, Prabhat Road and Kothrud. On the opposite side, roads lead through Dattawadi towards Sinhagad Road, Parvati, Panmala and other neighbourhoods in south-west Pune.
The bridge is also closely associated with DP Road, where restaurants, event lawns, residential developments and other commercial establishments have grown over the years.
Its position makes it particularly useful for motorists who want to travel between Kothrud-Karvenagar and the Sinhagad Road belt without going farther east towards the more central Mutha River crossings.
Mhatre Bridge Route and Road Connectivity
Mhatre Bridge functions as an important cross-river connection linking western Pune with the Dattawadi-Sinhagad Road side.
Important connections include:
- Erandwane: Directly connected at the northern end of the bridge.
- Dattawadi: Located immediately across the river on the southern side.
- Karve Road: Accessible through Erandwane and nearby roads.
- Kothrud: Major western Pune locality reached through Karve Road.
- Karvenagar: Accessible through DP Road and the riverside road network.
- Sinhagad Road: Reached through Dattawadi and adjoining local roads.
- Deccan Gymkhana: Accessible towards the north-east through Erandwane.
- Navi Peth: Located east of the bridge and connected through the central Pune road network.
- Rajaram Bridge: Located farther upstream and linked through the developing riverside corridor.
During major traffic diversions in central Pune, Mhatre Bridge is regularly used as an alternative cross-river route. For example, Pune Traffic Police have directed vehicles through Mhatre Bridge during temporary restrictions affecting Deccan, Karve Road and other central-city corridors.
Why is Mhatre Bridge Important?
The importance of Mhatre Bridge comes mainly from its location between several heavily populated neighbourhoods.
Before the bridge was constructed, Sambhaji Bridge, popularly known as Lakdi Pul, was one of the main large crossings serving the Erandwane and Karve Road side. Mhatre Bridge created another route towards Dattawadi and central-southern Pune, reducing dependence on the older crossing.
Today the bridge is particularly useful for:
- Kothrud-to-Sinhagad Road commuters
- Karvenagar residents travelling towards Dattawadi
- Vehicles moving between Deccan and south-west Pune
- Local traffic from Erandwane
- Motorists using DP Road
- Traffic diverted away from central Pune during events or road closures
The bridge also acts as an important reference point on Pune’s proposed and partially completed riverside road system.
Traffic Conditions at Mhatre Bridge
Traffic around Mhatre Bridge can be heavy during weekday morning and evening peak hours.
The bridge carries vehicles between two already busy road systems. On the Erandwane side, traffic disperses towards Karve Road, Nal Stop and Deccan. On the other side, vehicles move through Dattawadi towards Sinhagad Road and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Congestion can build around:
- DP Road junctions
- Erandwane approach roads
- Dattawadi
- Nal Stop side
- Karve Road
- Roads towards Sinhagad Road
- Event lawns and commercial establishments along DP Road
The opening of newer Sinhagad Road flyovers has improved movement along parts of that corridor. In September 2025, commuters using the newly opened Wadgaon-Hingne flyover reported that travel towards the DP Road-Mhatre Bridge area became substantially faster compared with negotiating several surface-level signals.
However, traffic conditions around Mhatre Bridge still depend heavily on the adjoining local roads rather than the bridge alone.
History and the Story Behind the Mhatre Bridge Name
One of the most interesting aspects of Mhatre Bridge is the story behind its name.
The bridge is named after Ravindra Hareshwar Mhatre, an Indian diplomat who served as assistant commissioner at the Indian consulate in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He was kidnapped and killed in 1984 by members of a militant organisation demanding the release of jailed separatist leader Maqbool Bhat.
Interestingly, the physical bridge had already been inaugurated in 1980. The Indian Express records a commemorative plaque stating that the structure connecting Erandwane and Dattawadi opened on Monday, 27 October 1980. The bridge subsequently came to bear Ravindra Mhatre’s name in remembrance of the diplomat.
During its early period, there was also concern after part of the filled approach on the Erandwane side settled. Contemporary recollections cited by The Indian Express clarify that the problem involved the approach ramp rather than the bridge structure itself. Heavy-vehicle restrictions were subsequently introduced for a period.
Over the decades, the bridge became so closely identified with the neighbourhood that businesses, housing addresses and public directions around DP Road commonly use “Mhatre Bridge” as a locality name.
Mhatre Bridge and the Shivane-Kharadi Road Project
The most significant future transport development associated with Mhatre Bridge is the Shivane-Kharadi riverside road.
PMC’s planned road stretches for about 22.5 km, providing an alternative east-west corridor roughly parallel to the Mutha and Mula-Mutha rivers. The project is divided into three main sections:
- Shivane to Mhatre Bridge: Around 6 km
- Mhatre Bridge to Sangamwadi: Around 5 km
- Sangamwadi to Kharadi: Around 11.5 km
The objective is to provide another route across Pune and reduce pressure on existing arterial roads.
As of 2026, the project remains incomplete in several places because of land-acquisition issues. PMC reported that the Rajaram Bridge-Mhatre Bridge section had been developed, while other portions between Shivane and Mhatre Bridge remained fragmented because continuous land was not yet available.
Once the missing sections are connected, Mhatre Bridge could become an even more important junction within Pune’s road network rather than functioning mainly as a local river crossing.
Mhatre Bridge and the Mutha Riverfront
The bridge also occupies an important position within Pune’s wider riverfront area.
The Mutha River flows beneath the structure before continuing east towards central Pune. PMC has undertaken river-cleaning and environmental activities along this stretch. During the River Festival 2025, the civic body organised work along the Bhide Bridge-to-Mhatre Bridge section and reported removal of substantial debris and vegetation from the river corridor.
The riverside setting has also influenced development along DP Road. Restaurants, event venues and recreational establishments have appeared in the area, making the Mhatre Bridge-DP Road stretch a familiar destination beyond its transportation role.
At the same time, development near the river is subject to flood-line and environmental restrictions. PMC has taken action against unauthorised structures in the green belt between Mhatre Bridge and Rajaram Bridge, and the Bombay High Court rejected petitions challenging some of those enforcement measures in 2024.
Public Transport Near Mhatre Bridge
Mhatre Bridge lies within a well-served part of Pune and can be reached by PMPML buses, auto-rickshaws and app-based cabs.
Bus services operate through Erandwane, Dattawadi, Karve Road, Sinhagad Road and adjoining neighbourhoods.
For Metro users, Nal Stop Metro Station on Pune Metro’s Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor is one of the most practical nearby stations. From Nal Stop, travellers can continue towards the bridge through Erandwane by auto, bus or other last-mile transport.
The bridge itself does not have a Metro station directly beside it, so road-based transport remains important for the final part of the journey.
Major Landmarks and Facilities Near Mhatre Bridge
Important landmarks around the bridge include:
- Erandwane: Established residential and educational neighbourhood on the northern side.
- DP Road: Popular road containing restaurants, event venues and residential developments.
- Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital: Major hospital in the Erandwane area.
- Nal Stop: Important Karve Road junction with Pune Metro connectivity.
- Dattawadi: Residential locality immediately south of the river.
- Karve Road: Major western Pune arterial road.
- Deccan Gymkhana: Important commercial, educational and residential district nearby.
- Rajaram Bridge: Another major Mutha River crossing farther upstream.
Nearby Areas to Mhatre Bridge
- Erandwane: The immediate northern-side locality and one of Pune’s established residential and educational areas.
- Dattawadi: Located directly across the Mutha and useful for access towards Sinhagad Road.
- Karvenagar: Large residential locality connected through DP Road and riverside routes.
- Kothrud: Major western Pune residential and commercial hub accessible through Karve Road.
- Deccan Gymkhana: Central-west Pune locality with shopping, educational and transport facilities.
- Navi Peth: Established central Pune locality situated east of the bridge.
- Panmala: Sinhagad Road-side neighbourhood accessible through Dattawadi and adjoining roads.
FAQs About Mhatre Bridge Pune
Q1. Is there a toll for crossing Mhatre Bridge?
No. Mhatre Bridge is part of Pune’s regular municipal road network and does not have a standalone toll plaza.
Q2. Why do restaurants and properties use “Mhatre Bridge” in their addresses?
The bridge became such a prominent local landmark that the name gradually came to identify the wider DP Road-Erandwane-Dattawadi area. It is therefore commonly used as an address reference even for properties that are not directly on the bridge.
Q3. Can Mhatre Bridge be used as an alternative when central Pune roads are closed?
Yes, depending on the destination. Pune Traffic Police regularly include Mhatre Bridge in diversion routes when traffic restrictions affect Deccan, Karve Road or central Pune. The exact alternative route changes according to the event and road closure.
Q4. Is the riverside road from Mhatre Bridge to Shivane fully complete?
Not yet. Parts of the Shivane-Mhatre Bridge corridor have been developed, but missing links caused by pending land acquisition prevent it from functioning as one continuous alternative route. PMC continued working on land acquisition and connectivity during 2026.
Q5. Is Mhatre Bridge the same as Rajaram Bridge?
No. Both cross the Mutha River in western Pune, but they are separate bridges. Mhatre Bridge connects Erandwane and Dattawadi, while Rajaram Bridge lies farther upstream and provides a connection between the Sinhagad Road side and Karvenagar.
