Mumbai Pune Bengaluru highway : NHAI’s twin tunnel project to reduce travel time ; 60% work completed

By: Pune Pulse

November 25, 2023

Pune: The innovative twin tunnels project that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started will change the way that people travel between Pune, Satara, Mahabaleshwar and Bengaluru. In order to cut the travel time on the Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru highway to just ten minutes, a dual tunnel will be built along the Khambatki Ghat route.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, an NHAI official from Pune, requesting anonymity said, “As of now, the only way to travel to Satara & further is through the existing Ghat. There are sharp curves etc which are prone to accidents, mishaps etc. Hence, a twin tunnel project is being constructed where there will be a 6-lane road along the Khambatki Ghat route. After these are constructed, there is no need to use the Ghat marg. The travel time will be reduced by 15 to 20 minutes on both sides of the road, traffic problems will be eliminated, and pollution will be reduced. Around 60% work is done. This entire project will be completed around June 2024.”

As per further information shared by the NHAI official:

· The total cost of the project is Rs 926 crore. The total length of the project is 6.46 km.

· Date of commencement of the project – 28.02.2019

· Each tunnel has three lanes each with a 10.05 m wide carriageway and 2 m wide paved shoulder in one direction.

· It is proposed to construct a crash barrier and footpath on both sides of the main road. A drain is proposed to be constructed under the footpath to drain the water.

· The inner width of the tunnel is 16.16 m. The maximum height inside the tunnel is 9.31 meters and the minimum height is 5.5 meters. A concrete carriageway is proposed.

· The length of the twin tunnel is 1148 meters. Cockpit lining is proposed from inside the tunnel. So, there will be no leakage in the tunnel.

· Twin Tunnels are connected at a distance of 500 meters each. Its width will be 8.5 meters and its vertical height will be 6.74 meters.

· A ventilation system will be installed on the tunnel roof using jet fans.

· LED-type lamps are proposed in the tunnel so that the lighting system will be better. 

· At present, 60 percent of the project work has been completed and it is planned to complete the project by the end of June 2024.

Shreyas Vange