Top News

Pune’s First Road Tunnel Takes A Step Forward

Pune’s long-awaited Pashan-Kothrud tunnel project has moved a step closer to reality, with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) beginning the process of appointing a consultant for the proposed underground road.

The project is aimed at providing a direct connection between Pashan and Kothrud by passing underneath Panchavati Hill, potentially cutting peak-hour travel time between the two areas from around 40 minutes to just 10 minutes.

₹264 Crore Tunnel Project Planned

The proposed project involves an underground road connecting Pashan, Panchavati, Kothrud and the Paud Road area.

The current plan includes a tunnel of around 1.7 kmwith a proposed width of 24 metres and four lanes. The estimated project cost is around ₹264 crore.

However, the final length, alignment and configuration are not yet fixed. These details will be determined through technical studies and the Detailed Project Report.

The broader proposal has also been described as a tunnel of around 3 km, highlighting that the project’s final design could change after the feasibility assessment.

40 Minutes Could Become 10 Minutes

The biggest attraction of the project is the potential reduction in travel time.

At present, the road journey between Pashan and Kothrud can take around 40 minutes or more during peak trafficdepending on congestion.

The proposed underground connection would bypass several congested surface routes and provide a much more direct route through the hill.

If the project is completed as planned, the journey could take around 10 minutes during peak periods.

Consultant Will Prepare Detailed Project Report

PMC has invited bids to appoint a project management consultant for the project.

The consultant will conduct technical and feasibility studies, prepare detailed plans and assist the civic body with the pre-construction and tendering process.

The consultancy stage is important because several major questions still need to be answered before construction can begin, including the exact tunnel alignment, engineering requirements, environmental considerations and final project cost.

The bids are scheduled to be opened later this month.

Tunnel To Pass Under Panchavati Hill

One of the defining features of the project is that the road will pass underneath Panchavati Hill.

Instead of widening already congested roads or acquiring large amounts of surface land, the underground route is intended to create a new connection below the hill.

The approach could also help reduce traffic pressure on existing roads connecting Pashan, Kothrud and Paud Road.

A Major Traffic Solution For Pune

Pune’s rapid growth has placed enormous pressure on its road network, with congestion becoming a daily problem across several major corridors.

The Pashan-Kothrud tunnel is therefore being viewed as more than just another road project. It could provide an entirely new traffic corridor between two heavily populated parts of western Pune.

If successfully implemented, the project could reduce congestion on surface roads while giving commuters a faster alternative.

Still Several Steps Away From Construction

Despite the latest progress, the tunnel is not yet ready for construction.

The appointment of the consultant is the next major step, followed by feasibility studies, preparation of the DPR, finalisation of the design and alignment, approvals, tendering and construction.

The current development therefore represents progress towards the project rather than a confirmed construction or opening date.

For Pune commuters, however, the prospect of travelling from Pashan to Kothrud in around 10 minutes could make this one of the city’s most significant proposed road infrastructure projects.

Summary

Pune’s proposed Pashan-Kothrud underground road tunnel has moved closer to reality as the PMC begins the process of appointing a consultant. The project is expected to provide a direct connection beneath Panchavati Hill and could reduce peak-hour travel time from around 40 minutes to 10 minutes. The current plan includes a 1.7-km, four-lane tunnel costing around ₹264 crore, although the final design will be decided after technical studies.

Image Source