The state government is planning to establish a committee aimed at expediting significant tunnel road projects within the city, which includes the ambitious 54km ‘Paatal Lok’ underground network designed to redirect private vehicles from overcrowded arterial roads.
This network will feature the longest 14km segment extending from Yerawada to Katraj. During his visit to the city on Sunday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the project’s significance in meeting the city’s expanding infrastructure demands.
“Pune is becoming a prominent global capability center. Its infrastructure must evolve in accordance with this growth. Initiatives like Paatal Lok are being conceptualized to fulfill these needs,” stated the CM. The ‘Paatal Lok’ project envisions a series of underground expressways to alleviate traffic from the surface roads, which currently occupy only 9 percent of Pune’s total land area, according to officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
Additionally, another proposed tunnel aims to enhance east-west connectivity throughout the city. Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasane mentioned that a committee consisting of officials and experts from various government agencies will oversee these projects. “This administrative committee will manage the implementation of both initiatives. It will also determine whether to merge the projects or execute them independently,” he remarked.
Urban planners and tunneling specialists have expressed optimism regarding the proposal. Uday Bhagare, a tunneling expert and former official with Indian Railways, noted that Pune’s geological conditions are favorable for such infrastructure. “With the increase in vehicular traffic and the constraints of surface roads, underground transportation must be considered. Pune possesses extensive basalt rock formations, which are advantageous for tunneling,” he explained.
Urban planner Ramchandra Gohad indicated that advancements in modern tunneling technologies could facilitate execution and help mitigate Pune’s persistent traffic congestion. “The project could operate in conjunction with other initiatives, such as the proposed ring road,” he added.
Environmentalists, however, express skepticism. “Tunnelling is not a sustainable solution for traffic management. Although it may seem ambitious, it presents numerous disadvantages. Vehicles exiting tunnels will ultimately converge at surface points, which could lead to bottlenecks and exacerbate congestion,” stated environmentalist Sumita Kale, who emphasized that such initiatives require significant capital investment. She contended that authorities ought to focus on more practical solutions, such as enhancing Metro connectivity.
Sandeep Potnis, director of the Centre of Excellence for Tunnelling and head of tunnel engineering at MIT, remarked that tunnelling is particularly suitable for Pune from both environmental and traffic management standpoints.
“The city’s topography, especially its basalt rock formation, is advantageous for tunnel construction and can contribute to lowering construction expenses. While tunnelling may incur higher costs compared to traditional road building, it is crucial for long-term traffic strategy,” he noted. Potnis also acts as an advisor on tunnelling matters to the ministry of road transport and highways.
PMRDA officials indicated that the project remains in the planning phase. A “pre-feasibility report has been compiled. It will be presented to the Pune Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (Pumta) and the state government. Once approvals are obtained, comprehensive plans will be made available to the public,” a senior official stated.
