PMRDA has initiated a pre-feasibility report for a proposed tunnel between Katraj and Yerawada in Pune, estimated to cost ₹400 crore per km.
The 20-km twin tunnel aims to ease city traffic by connecting southern and northern Pune through an underground route.
The study will assess technical feasibility, cost estimates, highway connectivity, and possibility of a public-private partnership.
Pune, 1st August 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has begun preparing a pre-feasibility report for a major tunnel project connecting Katraj in South Pune to Yerawada in the North. The proposed twin-tube tunnel would span approximately 20 kilometers and aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city by providing a direct underground route across its central areas.
This project was proposed during a high-level meeting held in Mumbai a few months ago, chaired by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He gave initial approval and directed PMRDA to prepare a detailed layout, recommending the use of advanced tunneling technology for a dual tunnel system.
To move forward, PMRDA invited bids to conduct the feasibility study. Out of three shortlisted companies, one has been assigned the task and has already started the survey work. They have been instructed to submit a report within two months. Following this, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared.
The tunnel is expected to cost around ₹400 crore per kilometer, according to preliminary estimates. The study will examine where the tunnel should begin and end, which highways it can connect with, and whether the project can be implemented under a public-private partnership model. Additionally, it will assess how much the tunnel will reduce the city’s traffic burden and the overall cost involved.
According to PMRDA Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase, the report will include all essential details such as tunnel entry and exit points, potential road connectivity, funding models, and traffic impact.
The tunnel is planned to pass through the central areas of Pune, allowing vehicles to travel in both directions through separate tubes. The project is seen as a strategic step in reshaping urban transport for a rapidly growing city.