The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has begun reviewing a draft proposal for a 45-kilometre underground tunnel network intended to connect all four major highways that converge into the city. The concept, submitted by an appointed consultant, is being viewed as one of the region’s most ambitious mobility interventions to date, aimed at reducing chronic congestion while enabling smoother regional movement across the rapidly expanding metropolitan area.
According to officials, the proposed system outlines three primary corridors running between Shivajinagar and Yerawada, Yerawada and Khadi Machine Chowk, and Wakad and Kothrud. These alignments are intended to bypass overstretched arterial roads and provide continuous east–west and north–south connectivity. The corridors are expected to operate roughly 30 metres below the surface and accommodate two-way traffic across six lanes. A senior PMRDA official explained that the draft has been prepared following instructions from the state leadership, who earlier reviewed an initial concept for a shorter tunnel between Katraj and Yerawada. As traffic pressure in Pune intensifies, the authority was asked to evaluate broader alternatives that could offer long-term mobility resilience. “The underground network is one of several strategies now under examination to improve regional movement while limiting surface-level disruption,” the official said.
The consultant’s draft outlines technical assessments currently underway, including identifying suitable entry and exit points, measuring likely ground conditions, and determining whether the project can be structured under a public–private partnership model. Initial cost estimates are between ₹20,000 crore and ₹22,000 crore, though officials emphasise that these numbers may shift once geological, financial, and environmental evaluations are completed. Urban transport specialists say that while tunnel systems can significantly reduce surface congestion, they must be planned in line with sustainable mobility principles. Experts note that Pune’s dense urban fabric, combined with high private-vehicle dependency, has heightened the need for multimodal integration rather than isolated infrastructure projects. They argue that tunnels should complement public transport networks, particularly the Metro corridors that are still expanding. PMRDA has clarified that the proposed alignments have been drafted to avoid interference with current or future Metro routes.
The authority is now reviewing the consultant’s preliminary findings and will recommend modifications before submitting the revised plan to the state government. If approved, the project is expected to be implemented in three phases to minimise construction-related disruption and allow for iterative adjustments based on traffic performance. Mobility planners say that large-scale projects such as this will need to incorporate provisions for long-term carbon reduction, pedestrian safety, and equitable access. As Pune moves towards becoming a more sustainable and accessible metropolitan region, officials stress that underground solutions must work alongside improvements to buses, cycling infrastructure, and last-mile links to ensure benefits extend to all communities rather than only private-vehicle users.
Pune Initiates Review Of 45-Km Tunnel Network Linking Four Highways
