Pune: PMC Begins Preparation For Pashan-Kothrud Tunnel Work
Friyana Munshi
Pune, January 12, 2021: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started preparations for the alignment of the entire route between Pashan-Panchavati and Kothrud after completing the stalled drone survey process within the boundaries of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) lab. Once the route of the proposed tunnel is finalized, a proposal to the Department of Defence and Forest will be sent.
A tunnel leading directly from Kothrud to Pashan has been proposed to reduce traffic congestion in the city. The municipality had undertaken a survey using its drone as a route for the tunnel was found through Senapati Bapat Road. However, the DRDO did not allow the survey. After the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, DRDO allowed the municipality to conduct the survey.
Although the municipality has completed the survey, it has decided to appoint a new consultant as the consultant appointed to cover other supplementary matters has left the work halfway.
“After the completion of this process within the next month, a feasibility report will be prepared for the tunnel by March. After that, the amount of space required will be made clear by the Department of Defence and the Department of Forests, the proposal will be sent to the concerned organizations by the municipality. This proposal will be followed up with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar for early approval”, informed MLA Siddharth Shirole.
