Pune to develop a major underground road infrastructure project aimed at easing the city’s worsening traffic congestion. Under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ ‘Patal Lok’ initiative, five underground tunnel corridors stretching nearly 56 kilometres are proposed across key parts of the city.
To implement the ambitious project, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). A preliminary report regarding the project is expected to be submitted to the Maharashtra government within the next eight days.
The underground road proposal was first announced by Fadnavis during the Assembly election campaign as a long-term solution to Pune’s growing traffic problems. During a recent budget meeting of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) in Mumbai, the Chief Minister instructed PMC to take the lead in forming the SPV and implementing the project.
Earlier, PMRDA had been assigned the task of preparing a report for an underground corridor between Yerawada and Katraj. However, the state government reportedly found the initial blueprint incomplete and has now directed PMC to proceed further based on PMRDA’s preliminary plan.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said, “The proposed underground road network will connect Shastrinagar in Yerawada to Khadimachine Chowk in Kondhwa, Pu La Deshpande Garden on Sinhagad Road to Jagtap Dairy Chowk via Aundh, Khadki to Shastrinagar Chowk, and Pu La Deshpande Garden to Seven Loves Chowk on Shankarsheth Road. Another tunnel corridor is also planned between Baner and Pashan.”
He further said, “The ₹34,000-crore project is likely to be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership model. An international consultant will be appointed, and the proposed SPV will include the PMC Commissioner, District Collector, Police Commissioner, and traffic experts.”
