Pune: PMC Seeks Railway Clearance to Widen Key Underpasses in Khadki and Shivajinagar

Pune, 3rd May 2025: In a move aimed at easing traffic congestion in central Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has submitted a proposal to the railway authorities seeking permission to widen two critical underpasses located in the Khadki and Range Hills–Shivajinagar areas.

The underpasses—currently struggling to accommodate increasing vehicular flow due to their narrow width—are slated for a complete redesign by the civic body. A recent inter-agency meeting involving PMC officials and railway representatives highlighted the urgent need for infrastructural improvements in these high-traffic zones. The project, however, hinges on mandatory clearance from the Indian Railways, as the work involves structures beneath active railway tracks.

According to civic officials, the proposed redevelopment includes additional vehicular lanes and a separate pedestrian walkway to ensure safer and smoother passage under the railway lines. The PMC has assured that it will handle the full execution of the project once the go-ahead is received.

The existing narrow passage near Khadki Police Station has long been a bottleneck, worsened by recurring issues of waterlogging and sewage seepage. As a temporary measure, the PMC is working on improving the approach roads, but officials emphasize that only structural widening will provide a long-term solution.

Despite the PMC’s eagerness to begin construction, administrative sources indicate that work may not commence before the upcoming monsoon. “Since this involves railway infrastructure, the process is time-consuming and technically complex. Once started, the entire construction is expected to take around four to five months,” a senior official said.

Residents from the Khadki and Range Hills areas, who have been demanding better connectivity for several years, expressed hope that the work would begin by winter. “This is not just about easing traffic—it’s about safety and accessibility. We hope the agencies don’t delay it further,” said a local resident.

The PMC is now awaiting a formal nod from the railway division, which will determine when the long-pending infrastructure upgrade can finally begin.