Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Oct 14: Pune’s notorious traffic congestion may soon ease as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) takes steps to widen the narrow underground road between RTO Chowk and Shahir Amar Sheikh Chowk in Mangalwar Peth, one of the city’s busiest areas.

The century-old subway, currently only five meters wide, connects key locations including Pune Railway Station, Maldhakka, Sassoon Hospital, the Collector’s Office, and the RTO. Its narrow width and low height have long caused long queues of vehicles and forced larger trucks to take alternate routes, worsening congestion during peak hours.

To address this, PMC has initiated the process of appointing a consultant for the project, and a detailed plan will be prepared soon. If space is allotted by the railway authorities, the proposal includes constructing a new nine to ten meter wide tunnel alongside the existing road and widening the old route. The combined structure will provide a double-lane road of around 20 meters, significantly easing traffic flow.

The tender process for consultant appointment has begun, and the detailed project report is expected within six months, covering design, estimated costs, land requirements, and technical specifications. PMC officials say that once completed, the project will greatly improve traffic conditions in the RTO area, providing major relief to Pune citizens.