PMRDA to Reassess 45 km Mega Tunnel Plan Connecting Pune’s Four Major Highways
PMRDA reviews its ambitious 45 km tunnel project linking Pune’s key highways amid concerns on feasibility, cost, and traffic integration.
Pune | November 24, 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has initiated a detailed review of its ambitious plan to construct a 45-kilometre-long mega tunnel connecting all four major highways around Pune. Envisioned as a game-changing underground mobility network, the project was conceptualised to ease the pressure on Pune’s chronically congested roads by offering a seamless, high-speed corridor linking the city’s north, south, east, and west regions. However, fresh concerns regarding feasibility, cost, and alignment have prompted the agency to reassess the plan.
The proposed tunnel would stretch between Yerawada and Katraj, with interconnected links branching towards highways leading to Nagar, Mumbai, Satara, and Solapur. The idea behind this massive underground corridor was to create fast-moving routes that bypass surface-level traffic entirely. Initial models suggested that such a tunnel could drastically cut travel time, reduce daily congestion, and provide an alternative to road-widening projects that often demand heavy land acquisition.
PMRDA earlier initiated a feasibility study and appointed technical consultants to prepare a detailed project report that would examine every aspect of the plan, including geological challenges, safety systems, tunnel ventilation, financial projections, and environmental impact. The administrative leadership has expressed that the review is essential to determine whether the project can realistically move forward, especially given the scale and complexity involved.
Concerns from within the local administrative ecosystem have slowed the project’s momentum. Some municipal authorities have raised objections, claiming that the tunnel alignment may intersect underground metro routes and existing utility networks. They argue that acquiring land for multiple entry and exit ramps could be disruptive and financially burdensome. The massive estimated cost—already projected to run into several thousand crores for even a shorter 14–15 km twin tunnel—has added further doubt about whether expanding the plan to a full 45 km is economically justifiable.
Technically, the project faces several challenges that are typical of large-scale tunneling in dense urban spaces. Pune’s varied geological layers, active construction zones, and tight urban fabric may require highly specialized boring equipment, deep excavation, and continuous monitoring. Any deviation in soil behaviour could lead to delays or cost escalations. Experts also warn that large tunnels of this nature demand long-term commitments to maintenance, ventilation systems, fire safety protocols, and sophisticated monitoring technology.
At the same time, proponents within PMRDA believe the tunnel network could transform urban mobility. They argue that surface roads are already operating near saturation levels, and incremental improvements will not be enough to match Pune’s rapid urbanisation. According to them, the tunnel could serve as a long-term investment that would help the city avoid future gridlock, especially as vehicle numbers continue to rise. They also highlight that an underground corridor would minimize land acquisition disputes and avoid major disruption on existing roads during construction.
Transport planners have suggested integrating the tunnel plan with ongoing metro expansions. Coordination between PMRDA and the metro authorities could allow multi-modal hubs where commuters seamlessly switch between underground corridors, metro lines, and surface transport. If aligned correctly, the project could create next-generation mobility nodes that support Pune’s growth for decades.
Despite optimism in some quarters, the project sits at a crossroads. The feasibility study will determine whether the 45 km vision will remain conceptual or progress towards execution. Cost-benefit analysis, environmental considerations, engineering risks, and political alignment will play critical roles in shaping the final decision.
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