PMC approves major widening of the RTO Chowk railway underpass in Pune.
Project aims for a 20-meter combined width to permanently resolve traffic congestion.
Consultant appointment underway; full project report expected within six months.
Pune, 10 October 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has made a significant move to address severe traffic issues by opting to expand the narrow railway underpass linking RTO Chowk and Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk in Mangalwar Peth. The PMC has begun the process of hiring a consultant to examine the area and provide a detailed project report.
This region is among the most bustling in Pune, connecting key sites such as the Pune Railway Station, Sassoon Hospital, the Collector's Office, and the RTO. The current underpass linking these two chowks is over a century old and measures merely about five meters in width.
This extremely narrow passage results in constant, severe traffic congestion, greatly inconveniencing residents, especially those attempting to board a train, who frequently worry about missing their departure. Additionally, the underpass's low clearance limits the passage of large trucks traveling to the Maldhakka area.
To address the ongoing traffic congestion, the Pune Municipal Corporation has suggested widening the underpass and has officially submitted this proposal to the Railway Administration. The initiative aims to make use of the available Railway land on the route from RTO to Mangalwar Peth.
The PMC intends to construct a new underpass with a width of 9 to 10 meters and to widen the current one. The primary objective is to ensure a total road width of at least 20 meters between the two junctions. PMC officials believe that a wider underpass will provide a lasting solution to the ongoing traffic issues in this crucial part of Pune.
The Project Department has released a tender to select a consultant responsible for drafting the required blueprint. After the contractor is appointed, the project's feasibility, comprehensive design, precise land needs, and overall estimated cost will be determined within the next six months.
