Tunnel on Pune-Satara route to be ready by March ’23: Gadkari

Work on the new six-lane tunnel at Khambatki Ghat on the Pune-Satara highway (NH-4) is in full progress, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in a series of tweets. This is a twin tunnel with three lanes each. Gadkari said the 'S' curve in the Satara-Pune direction will be completed soon, which would lead to drastic reduction in accident risks. The total cost for the 6.43 km long tunnel project is approximately Rs 9.26 billion, and it is expected to be completed by March 2023. Gadkari said the tunnel will enhance connectivity and provide direct benefits to travellers commuters through their Value Over Time (VOT) and Value Over Cost (VOC) savings. The minister said average travel time on the Pune-Satara stretch through Khambataki Ghat is 45 minutes, and with the completion of this tunnel, average travel time will be reduced to 5-10 minutes.Also Read: Delhi-Meerut Expressway to be completed in mid-August Two Cuttack riverside ring roads to be expanded