In order to improve connectivity on the Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru Highway, a twin tunnel was proposed which would cut down travel time to just ten minutes. The twin tunnel project that is coming up at Khambatki is now 60 per cent complete. Once fully finished, the tunnels will reduce travel time between Pune and Satara by 20 minutes. Here are all the important details that you would need to know about this latest infrastructure project.
Twin Tunnel At Khambatki 60 Per Cent Complete
According to an article which was recently published by the Pune Pulse, 60 per cent of the work on the tunnel is now complete. The twin tunnel will come up at Khambatki on the Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru highway. The project is being spearheaded by the National Highways Authority of India or NHAI. The dual tunnel project promises to reduce travel time on the highway to just ten minutes.
An NHAI official cited in the Pune Pulse article stated that the only way to travel to Satara and beyond it, as of now, is through the existing ghat. The way on the ghat is quite topsy turvy with many sharp turns which may lead to accidents. Hence, the twin tunnel project was proposed. As per the official, travel time on both sides will be reduced by 15 to 20 minutes.
The official also went on to state that once the twin tunnel project is completed, the Ghat route will no longer have to be used thus safeguarding the travellers. They even said that traffic problems as well as pollution will be reduced. The entire project is estimated to be completed by the month of June in the following year.
Also Read: Rescue Ops At Uttarakhand’s Tunnel Enters Day 5; Workers Stuck For 96 Hrs Get Food, Medicines
To Cost ₹926 Crores And Other Important Details About The Project
As per the Pune Pulse article, the total cost of the project is estimated to be a whopping ₹926 crores. Moreover, this particular project will have a total length of 6.46 kilometres. The construction of the project was started on February 28, 2019. The twin tunnels will each have three lanes making it a six-lane project. The lanes will have carriageways which will be 10.05 metres wide.
The construction of a crash barrier and a footpath on both sides has also been proposed. Further, in order to have proper drainage of water during rainy weather, the construction of a drain under the footpath has also been proposed. The twin tunnel will have a maximum height of 9.31 metres and a minimum height of 5.5 metres. LED-type lamps have been proposed for the lighting system inside the tunnel.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Hot Khichdi Filled In Bottles Sent To Trapped Workers For 1st Time
How will the construction of this tunnel impact your travels? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @nitin_gadkari/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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