In a significant move to address Pune's crippling traffic congestion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that surface-level road expansion is no longer viable and has strongly advocated for an ambitious underground tunnel network. Describing it as a 'Paatal Lok' model, the CM stated this is the necessary long-term solution for the land-starved city.
The 'Paatal Lok' Vision for Pune's Traffic
Speaking at a public function in Pune on Monday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented a stark picture of the city's infrastructure crisis. He revealed that roads account for barely 9% of Pune's total land area, while the vehicular load has already exceeded road capacity by more than double. With horizontal expansion reaching its limit, Fadnavis outlined that going underground is the strategic way forward.
He specifically mentioned the long-pending proposal for an underground tunnel network, including the crucial Yerawada-Katraj corridor. This model, he argued, is essential to fundamentally improve traffic flow and connectivity in the metropolitan region.
Project Status and Proposed Network
Following the CM's push, a senior Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) official confirmed on Tuesday that the pre-feasibility report for the massive project is now complete. This report will be presented before the Pune Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (PUMTA) once the ongoing local body elections conclude and the model code of conduct is lifted.
The official added that the Chief Minister's Office has already given a positive initial response to the report, which was tabled before senior state officials last week.
The proposed underground road network is a comprehensive plan with several key components:
- A 54-km-long network aimed at improving north-south connectivity, a major gap in Pune's current road layout.
- The Yerawada–Katraj twin tunnel, planned as a north-south underground corridor to link the eastern part of the city with the southern suburbs.
- Connections to areas like Jagtap Dairy, Sinhagad Road, Pashan, Kothrud, Aundh, Sangamwadi, and Khadki.
- Integration with the inner ring road for seamless access to highways.
Planners expect this network to significantly cut travel time and divert traffic from some of Pune's most congested surface roads.
Massive Investment and Next Steps
The scale of the project is matched by its estimated cost. Officials have indicated that the underground road network could require an investment of around Rs 32,000 crore. However, detailed costing, funding patterns, and phased execution timelines will be finalized at a later stage.
The immediate next step involves a formal discussion at the PUMTA meeting. "After clearance at the PUMTA meeting, the proposal will be placed before the CM and then the cabinet. The state government is expected to allocate the required funds thereafter," explained a PMRDA official.
Further specifics regarding the exact alignment, funding models, and construction schedules for the Yerawada-Katraj tunnel will be determined once PUMTA takes up the proposal for detailed review. This project represents one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure plans for Pune, aiming to create a high-capacity alternative corridor beneath the city to ease the relentless pressure on its surface roads.
