Pune: The construction of three new box-structure underpasses on the Pune-Bengaluru highway stretch at Punawale and Tathawade has been approved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), spelling major relief for thousands of commuters in Pimpri Chinchwad and adjacent areas.The tendering process for the project has already begun and work is expected to be taken up on priority.A senior NHAI official told TOI that the proposal received a nod around two weeks ago. “We have initiated the tendering process and efforts are being made to commence work at the earliest,” the official said. Sources in NHAI said the project is expected to cost around Rs70-80 crore.The official added that Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the project during his visit to Pune last week while assessing the progress of several ongoing and proposed infrastructure works in the district.The proposed underpasses are expected to address long-standing traffic bottlenecks on the highway stretch and service roads, where the existing two underpasses have struggled to handle rising vehicular movement. Residents have repeatedly demanded additional crossing points, citing severe congestion and long delays, especially during weekends.Sources said the box-structure design was selected as it allows faster execution and is more economical than a conventional underpass. The structures can be built using precast concrete segments or cast-in-situ concrete and require comparatively less excavation, reducing both construction time and disruption to traffic.The issue has become more acute with rapid residential growth in Punawale, Tathawade, Wakad, Kiwale, Ravet and adjoining areas. A large number of IT professionals and daily commuters living on either side of the highway routinely face traffic snarls at the existing underpasses, which have limited carrying capacity.Residents welcomed the decision but said authorities should plan for future traffic growth. “Punawale and Tathawade are expanding rapidly and the population will continue to increase. The infrastructure being built today should be able to meet future demand as well,” said Shubham Kandale, a resident and regular commuter.Vitthal Baral, another resident, said the new underpasses would provide much-needed relief but stressed the need for proper planning of approach roads and service road connectivity. “The existing underpasses have become bottlenecks as traffic volumes have increased significantly while crossing points remain limited,” he said.According to Sumit Dhage, residents’ groups are flooded with videos and photographs of traffic jams almost every weekend. “The congestion has become so severe that even traffic personnel struggle to manage the situation. We only hope that NHAI completes the construction of these proposed underpasses on priority,” he said.Local corporator Reshma Bhujbal said she and Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap had been pursuing the matter with authorities for more than a year. “The problem is particularly severe during weekends. The underpasses are crucial not only for residents but also for connectivity to 10-12 nearby villages linked to Pimpri Chinchwad,” she said.Residents also pointed out that the existing underpasses frequently get waterlogged during the monsoon, forcing motorists to take lengthy detours. While NHAI has proposed an elevated corridor between Kiwale and Katraj, the project is awaiting cabinet approval.MLA Jagtap had raised the issue in the state assembly earlier this year and recommended construction of eight box-structure underpasses along the stretch, citing rapid urbanisation and increasing traffic demand in the region.“The underpasses are important for the internal connectivity of Wakad, Punawale and Tathawade areas. Besides, the widening of existing service roads is also important to provide basic infrastructure to local residents. Gadkari has directed NHAI officials to expedite works,” said Jagtap, who met Gadkari over the issue last week.
