Pune Gets Major Traffic Relief Plan: Tunnels, HCMTR and Inner Ring Road on Agenda

Pune, 28th July 2026: The Maharashtra government has proposed a network of road tunnels, the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) and the Pune Inner Ring Road as part of an integrated plan to tackle the city’s growing traffic congestion.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to expedite planning, land acquisition and implementation of the projects.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of a high-level committee constituted to oversee the planning, financing, implementation and monitoring of Pune’s major urban transport projects.

The meeting, chaired by Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House, was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with senior officials from the Revenue and Urban Development departments, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

Three tunnels proposed under ‘Patal Lok’ project
Under the proposed ‘Patal Lok’ underground tunnel project, three road tunnels have been planned across Pune.

The proposals include a 36-km corridor connecting Bhosari to the proposed new airport at Undri, of which 10 km would be elevated; an 8-km tunnel from Ramnadi-Bhugaon to Rajaram Bridge; and a 1.65-km tunnel connecting Taljai Hill with Padmavati-Hingne.

Fadnavis directed officials to conduct a comprehensive survey with the assistance of expert institutions before finalising the proposed tunnel network.

HCMTR target set for 2028
The meeting also reviewed the proposed 43.60-km High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR). Fadnavis said the project would be a transformational infrastructure initiative for Pune and could reduce traffic congestion by 25-30%.

The HCMTR is expected to integrate Pune’s Metro routes while increasing the capacity of the city’s road network. Fadnavis directed officials to prepare a financial model and initiate work at the earliest, with a target of completing the project by 2028.

PMRDA Inner Ring Road to pass through 44 villages
The proposed 83.12-km PMRDA Inner Ring Road was also discussed during the meeting. The project will pass through 44 villages and is planned to be implemented in five phases.

Fadnavis directed officials to complete project-related procedures, including land acquisition, within the next six to seven months. He also instructed authorities to provide cash compensation for privately acquired land to expedite the acquisition process.

To speed up implementation, Fadnavis asked officials to submit a proposal for a consolidated government resolution for transferring the required government land to PMC and PMRDA.

He stressed that land acquisition, administrative approvals and coordination between departments should be completed on priority to ensure timely execution of the major transport infrastructure projects.

PMRDA, PMC town planning schemes reviewed
The meeting also discussed PMRDA’s proposed Town Planning Schemes. Fadnavis directed the authority to prepare and submit a proposal to the state government for the cancellation of 15 proposed Town Planning Schemes under PMRDA and PMC.