Senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India have confirmed that the Khambatki ghat tunnel on the Pune-Satara highway will be fully ready and open to all traffic by June. This development promises to transform travel through this dangerous mountain pass.
Trial Run Underway for Left Tunnel
The left side of the new tunnel began operating on a trial basis starting January 17. Sanjay Kadam, the project director for Pune NHAI, explained that this trial period will continue until January 27. During this time, workers will clear obstructions to allow construction of the right side of the tunnel to proceed smoothly.
"Both sides of the tunnel will be ready and open to traffic by June," Kadam stated. "This tunnel is crucial because it will not only cut travel time dramatically but also reduce accidents that frequently occur in the old tunnel, which has several major black spots."
Massive Time Savings Expected
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently shared exciting details about the project on social media platform X. According to his post, the complete project package includes a 1.3 kilometer tunnel and a 1.2 kilometer viaduct.
The most significant benefit will be the dramatic reduction in travel time. Currently, navigating the Khambatki ghat takes approximately 45 minutes. Once the new tunnel becomes fully operational, that same journey will take just 7 minutes.
Addressing a Dangerous History
Khambatki ghat has earned a notorious reputation over the years. The road features dangerous curves and steep gradients that have contributed to numerous accidents. Just last December, four people sustained injuries when a lorry collided with three cars on this stretch.
Plans to address the sharp turns on the ghat have been under discussion since 2018. That year, a major accident claimed 18 lives and left 19 people injured. The current tunnel project received approval in 2019 with an original completion timeline of three years, though various delays pushed back the schedule.
Technical Specifications and Current Access
The left tunnel measures approximately 1.3 kilometers in length, while the right side spans roughly 1.2 kilometers. Kadam confirmed that all types of vehicles can currently use the left tunnel during this trial phase.
"Some traffic is being carefully diverted so that work on the right side is not hampered," he added, explaining the current traffic management approach.
Commuters Express Relief and Anticipation
Regular users of the Pune-Satara highway have expressed both relief and anticipation about the new tunnel. Sanjay Kamat, who travels this route frequently, described the existing ghat as very risky with numerous sharp turns.
"Some of them are S-shaped turns, and driving becomes a major problem, resulting in accidents too," Kamat said. "This tunnel is a lifesaver, and NHAI should try to open it without much delay."
The S-Bend Problem and Historical Data
The tunnel proposal originated in 2018 following an accident involving a tempo near the old tunnel. Engineers designed both the tunnel and viaduct specifically to avoid the steep gradient and problematic S-bend that have caused so many accidents over the years.
Statistics reveal the severity of the problem. The S-bend alone is responsible for an estimated average of 30 accidents annually. Between 2008 and 2017, this particular stretch of NH-48 (previously known as NH-4) reportedly claimed more than 75 lives according to earlier reports.
As construction progresses toward the June completion date, residents and commuters alike await the safety improvements and time savings this infrastructure project will deliver.
