PMRDA to Review 45-km Mega Tunnel Plan Linking All Four Highways in Pune
Pune, 24th November 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has received a draft plan for an ambitious 45-km underground tunnel network aimed at connecting all four major highways — Pune–Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar), Pune–Solapur, Pune–Satara and the Pune–Mumbai Expressway. Officials say the proposal could offer a long-term solution to the city’s escalating traffic congestion.
The consultant appointed by PMRDA has submitted a preliminary report outlining three key tunnel alignments: Yerawada to Khadi Machine Chowk, Shivajinagar to Yerawada, and Wakad to Kothrud. These underground corridors are expected to enable smooth east–west and north–south connectivity by bypassing heavily choked surface roads.
The concept gathered momentum after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai, during which PMRDA presented an earlier plan for a Katraj–Yerawada tunnel. Fadnavis later instructed the authority to prepare a detailed blueprint, prompting PMRDA to initiate a feasibility study through competitive bidding.
According to the draft, the multi-lane tunnel will run roughly 30 metres below ground and is designed for two-way traffic with three lanes on each side. The consultant has been tasked with assessing suitable entry and exit points, integration with existing highways, construction costs, and the viability of executing the project through a public–private partnership model. The study will also evaluate the potential impact on Pune’s overall traffic load.
Officials estimate the project cost at ₹20,000–22,000 crore. They added that the proposed alignments will not interfere with current or future underground Metro routes.
PMRDA will now examine the draft proposal and recommend changes before forwarding it to the state government for final approval. If cleared, the mega project will be developed in three phases.
