Pune Tunnel | Pune’s increasing traffic jams, queues of vehicles at intersections and rapid urbanization have left the citizens literally suffering. As vehicles get stuck on major roads for hours during the morning-evening rush hours, all three things, time, fuel and mental stress, are taking a big toll on the people of Pune. Pune Municipal Corporation has now prepared a big master plan to find a permanent solution to this serious problem. Accordingly, preparations have been started to build 2 important subway tunnels in Pune city.

Chief Minister of the state Devendra Fadnavis has directed to take forward these 2 tunnel projects. The first of these tunnels is Pashan-Kothrud and the second is Hingane-Dhankawadi. The administration is claiming that if both these projects are completed, there can be a big change in the transport system in Pune. Pune Tunnel

Currently, more than 72 lakh vehicles are plying in the city of Pune. Many of the main roads in the city are carrying loads beyond their capacity, and daily traffic jams are occurring in Chandni Chowk, Swargate, Katraj, Poud Road, Satara Road and Sinhagad Road areas. Due to the increasing number of vehicles, the option of conventional road widening is also becoming limited. So now the option of ‘underground connectivity’ i.e. subway tunnels is being seriously considered.

Rock-Cothrud Tunnel:

At present, citizens have to use Chandni Chowk or Senapati Bapat Road to travel between Pashan and Kothrud. It takes 40 to 60 minutes to cover a distance of 10-11 km due to heavy traffic. In that case, the proposed new tunnel will pass under the Panchvati hill and will directly connect Pashan, Panchvati and Poud Roads. Pune Tunnel

After the construction of this tunnel, which is about 3 km long, the journey from Sutardara to Pashan can be completed in just 5 to 10 minutes. This is likely to bring great relief to the citizens of Kothrud, Pashan, Poud Road, Sutardara and surrounding areas. Notably, access to IT parks, educational institutes and residential areas will be much easier.

Hingane-Dhankawadi Tunnel:

Another important project is the Hingane-Dhankawadi or Taljai-Pachgaon tunnel. The tunnel will pass under the Taljai hill and directly connect Sinhagad Road and Satara Road. At present, to travel on this route one has to cross several intersections via Dhankawadi, Katraj or Swargate. So it takes 40 to 50 minutes. But after the completion of the proposed tunnel, this distance will be reduced to just 2.5 km and the journey can be completed in just 5 to 10 minutes. The project will have a 930 meter long four tier tunnel. This is likely to reduce traffic congestion on Satara Road, Katraj, Dhankawadi and Sinhagad Road.