News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
Feb 13, 2025, 04:56 PM | Updated 04:56 PM IST
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed officials of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to ensure the construction of underground twin tunnels between Yerawada and Katraj, Times of India reported.
The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion in the region.
The directive was issued during CM Fadnavis’ first development authority meeting for the PMRDA on Wednesday (12 February).
As the chairman of the authority, CM Fadnavis stressed the need to incorporate advanced technology in the project.
He also directed officials to submit the proposal urgently to help improve connectivity and ease traffic.
The proposed underground route from Yerawada to Katraj will cover a 20-kilometer stretch and is estimated to cost Rs 7,500 crore, Pune Mirror reported.
The project will include two tunnels, each with three lanes, along with multiple entry and exit points at three to four locations.
Additionally, Rs 636.84 crore has been approved for the development of the Purandar airport road network.
A sum of Rs 203 crore has been allocated for constructing cement roads in the industrial hubs of Ranjangaon and Hinjewadi.
Furthermore, Rs 1,526 crore has been earmarked for expanding the road network for the ‘Urban Growth Center.’
CM Fadnavis underscored the importance of enhancing connectivity between Pune city’s bypass roads, Pune-Satara, Pune-Nagar corridors, and the proposed Purandar airport.
He also instructed that roads in newly developed areas should have a minimum width of 18 meters to accommodate future population growth.
Additionally, he directed authorities to align infrastructure planning accordingly and fast-track the completion of drinking water supply projects.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.