Pune, 23 June 2025: To tackle severe traffic congestion in Pune’s central areas, two four-lane underground roads have been planned, one connecting Shaniwarwada to Swargate and the other from Sarasbaug to Shaniwarwada. BJP MLA Hemant Rasane announced on Monday that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for these tunnels is almost complete. The Public Works Department (PWD) is preparing the comprehensive plan.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, visited the Vitthalrao Gadgil statue near Shaniwarwada on Monday to get first-hand information about these proposed tunnels. He was accompanied by Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MLA Hemant Rasane, BJP office-bearers and several party workers.

Gadkari arrived in the morning, inspected the site and spoke briefly with Rasane, who explained the project details. After a short discussion, the Union Minister left for his next programme but assured full support. Rasane submitted a memorandum and requested central assistance for this ambitious project.

Rasane said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road and Bajirao Road are two main roads in the heart of the city. They are always congested, especially during festivals and peak hours. To solve this, I have proposed a 2.5-kilometre four-lane underground road between Shaniwarwada and Swargate, and another tunnel from Sarasbaug to Shaniwarwada. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also supported the idea positively.”

He added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road is historically part of the old National Highway 4, which connected Mumbai and Pune via Wakdewadi and Katraj. Due to the city’s expansion and the creation of bypass routes, this stretch now falls within city limits but still retains its status as a national highway. Rasane hopes the central government’s support will help make the project a reality soon.