Pune: In a significant move to reduce traffic bottlenecks in Pune, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has initiated a comprehensive study for a proposed 20-kilometre double-decker twin tunnel connecting Yerawada to Katraj. The project aims to divert non-local traffic from some of the city’s most gridlocked areas.
As part of a collaborative strategy involving the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations, PMRDA, district authorities, and traffic police, both short-term and long-term traffic management solutions are being developed to address Pune’s mounting congestion crisis.
According to PMRDA officials, the proposed tunnel is designed to serve as a bypass for vehicles not bound for central Pune. This would help relieve pressure on existing roads, many of which cannot be expanded further due to space constraints. The tunnel will feature multiple entry and exit points aligned with key city junctions, allowing smoother transit for long-distance commuters.
The tunnel is expected to benefit traffic coming from Nagar Road, Alandi Road, and Nashik Road, offering a direct route towards southern Maharashtra and Bengaluru without having to pass through Pune’s city core.
A three-month feasibility study is currently underway and will include a technical, economic, and financial assessment of the project. As part of this study, officials will conduct traffic surveys, geotechnical evaluations, and impact assessments — both social and environmental. Land acquisition strategies and public consultations with local residents, NGOs, and other stakeholders will also be integral to the planning process.
Additionally, the study will evaluate topography, hydrology, and possible risks associated with tunnel boring. Analysts will assess how the project might affect existing infrastructure, public safety, and the environment. The financial viability under different public-private partnership (PPP) models, including potential toll structures, will also be thoroughly reviewed.
The project, if approved and executed, is expected to be a game-changer in addressing Pune’s long-standing traffic challenges.
