NHAI Approves Three New Underpasses at Punawale, Tathawade to Ease Traffic on NH-48

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of three new box-structure underpasses on the Pune-Bengaluru highway stretch at Punawale and Tathawade. This move is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of commuters in Pimpri Chinchwad and adjacent areas who have long faced traffic congestion on this stretch.

The tendering process for the project has already begun, and work is expected to be taken up on priority. A senior NHAI official revealed 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 estimated the project cost to be around Rs 70-80 crore.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the project during his recent visit to Pune, assessing the progress of several ongoing and proposed infrastructure works in the district. The proposed underpasses are designed to address long-standing traffic bottlenecks on the highway stretch and service roads. The existing two underpasses have struggled to handle the rising vehicular movement, leading to severe congestion and long delays, especially during weekends.

Residents have repeatedly demanded additional crossing points, and the box-structure design was selected for its faster execution and cost-effectiveness. These structures can be built using precast concrete segments or cast-in-situ concrete, requiring less excavation and 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 emphasized the need for future-proofing the infrastructure.

“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, stressed the importance of proper planning for approach roads and service road connectivity. “The existing underpasses have become bottlenecks as traffic volumes have increased significantly while crossing points remain limited,” he added.

According to Sumit Dhage, residents’ groups are often 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 and Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap have 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,” Bhujbal 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, recommending the construction of eight box-structure underpasses along the stretch due to rapid urbanization 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.