Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Pune Tunnel Project Gets Fresh Push With Consultant Tender
People who live in a city called Pune, in India, often travel between areas like Pashan, Panchawati, and Kothrud, and that trip can take close to an hour because of heavy traffic.
The city government, called the Pune Municipal Corporation, has a big idea to fix this: building a tunnel, which is like an underground road, beneath Panchawati Hill.
The tunnel would be about 1.7 kilometers long and have four lanes.
If it is built, the same trip might take only about 5 to 15 minutes.
The project is estimated to cost around 264 crore rupees, which is a very large amount of money.
The city has started looking for an expert consultant to study the plans and get everything ready before construction begins.
After the planning is done, the city expects to ask construction companies to build the tunnel in the coming months.
The idea was first proposed in the city's 2017–18 budget but faced delays over the years.
Now the city hopes the project can move forward and give commuters an easier way to travel.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has invited tenders to appoint an expert consultant for pre-tender work on the tunnel project.
The tunnel will pass beneath Panchawati Hill, connecting Pashan, Panchawati, Kothrud and the Paud Road area.
Travel time between the areas is expected to drop from 40–60 minutes to 5–15 minutes once the tunnel is completed.
The project includes a nearly 1.7-km-long, four-lane underground road with connecting roads, estimated to cost around ₹264 crore.
The main construction tender is expected in the coming months; the project was first proposed in the 2017–18 PMC budget.
Approvals from agencies including DRDO, National Chemical Laboratory, Automotive Research Association of India and the Forest Department were part of the preliminary process.
- Who
- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the civic body managing the project
- What
- Begun the consultant appointment process for the Pashan–Panchawati–Paud Road tunnel project, which will include a 1.7-km four-lane underground road
- When
- Tenders for the consultant are being invited now, with the main construction tender expected in the coming months; the project was first proposed in the 2017–18 PMC budget
- Where
- Pune, beneath Panchawati Hill, connecting Pashan, Panchawati, Kothrud and the Paud Road area
- Why
- To ease traffic congestion and cut travel time in western Pune from 40–60 minutes to an expected 5–15 minutes
- Project
- Pashan–Panchawati–Paud Road tunnel project (also described as the Pashan–Panchawati–Kothrud tunnel project)
- Implementing body
- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
- Tunnel details
- Nearly 1.7-km-long, four-lane underground road along with connecting roads
- Estimated cost
- Around ₹264 crore
- Current travel time
- Around 40 to 60 minutes
- Expected travel time
- Around 5 to 15 minutes
- First proposed
- PMC budget 2017–18
- Approval agencies
- DRDO, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Forest Department