Pune: PMRDA Advances Yerawada-Katraj Twin Tunnel Project; Consultant to Be Hired for ₹6,500 Crore Infrastructure Plan

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is gearing up to appoint a consultant in early April to conduct a crucial feasibility study for the ambitious Yerawada-Katraj twin tunnel project. Officials confirmed on Saturday that the study, expected to be completed within three months, will evaluate the technical, financial, and operational aspects of the proposed infrastructure.

PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase stated that the consultant’s report will be submitted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for approval. “The CM has directed a thorough feasibility assessment, including potential implementation models such as EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) with BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) or HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) options,” Mhase told Times of India.

Once approved, the project will move into the financial planning and contractor selection phase, with the aim of finalizing a contractor by December. If all goes as planned, construction could be completed by 2029, significantly improving travel between two of Pune’s most congested areas.

A Game-Changer for Pune’s Traffic Woes

The 14.5 km Yerawada-Katraj corridor is notorious for severe traffic congestion. The twin-tunnel project, estimated at ₹6,500 crore, promises to cut travel time while minimizing land acquisition and avoiding construction-related traffic disruptions. PMRDA officials highlight additional benefits, including reduced pollution and enhanced urban mobility.

“The tunnel will revolutionize connectivity in Pune, easing pressure on one of the city’s busiest stretches,” a PMRDA official said. The feasibility study will also explore design options, including a potential double-decker tunnel with escape routes.

With the tender for consultancy services already published on March 28, the agency selected will have three months to submit a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR). The project, approved in principle during a February 12 meeting chaired by CM Fadnavis, marks a significant step toward decongesting Pune’s roads.