Pune Revives Tunnel Plan For Balbharati–Paud Phata Road Project Again
The long-delayed Balbharati–Paud Phata link road project in Pune is once again under review, with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reconsidering a tunnel-based alignment as a potential solution to ease traffic congestion while minimising environmental damage. The fresh proposal aims to balance mobility needs with ecological and civic concerns that have stalled the project for years.
According to senior civic officials, PMC’s engineering and town planning departments are evaluating the feasibility of constructing an underground tunnel to connect the busy Paud Phata junction with the Balbharati area. The plan revisits earlier designs that were shelved after environmental activists raised objections over tree loss, biodiversity disruption, and the project’s potential impact on the city’s fragile green cover.
Urban mobility experts have described the revived plan as a “critical moment” in Pune’s infrastructure development. They believe that an underground passage could offer a sustainable transport alternative while preserving open spaces and reducing vehicular emissions. The project is also expected to decongest arterial routes such as Karve Road and Law College Road, both of which face persistent traffic bottlenecks.
PMC officials emphasise that the new design framework will incorporate environmental safeguards aligned with the city’s commitment to a low-carbon urban future. The proposed tunnel, if approved, would use energy-efficient ventilation systems, rainwater harvesting integration, and eco-friendly construction materials to limit its carbon footprint.Experts from Pune’s urban planning fraternity have urged the civic body to undertake comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments before finalising the design. They suggest integrating pedestrian and cycling corridors above the tunnel stretch to promote non-motorised mobility a step consistent with Pune’s Smart City and sustainable transport goals.
While the renewed focus on the tunnel option has generated cautious optimism, concerns remain about project costs, geological stability, and long-term maintenance. However, transport policy analysts argue that a well-planned tunnel could prove cost-effective over time by cutting fuel wastage and lowering congestion-related emissions.The Balbharati–Paud Phata link road has been among Pune’s most debated urban projects, often caught between infrastructure necessity and ecological preservation. The new approach, officials insist, seeks to bridge that divide by delivering a mobility solution that is both efficient and environmentally responsible.As the PMC prepares to commission a detailed project report and public consultation phase, the city stands at a crossroads one where engineering innovation may finally converge with ecological wisdom to shape a cleaner, more connected Pune.
