Nitin Gadkari stuck in Pune traffic, forced to cut short tunnel inspection visit

Union minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had to cut short his inspection visit to Pune on Monday after police advised him to do so due to increasing traffic congestion in the city.

According to an ANI report, the visit was cancelled after Gadkari got stuck in the city traffic.

Gadkari was scheduled to review a proposed four-lane underground tunnel project designed to ease traffic in Pune's congested old city area, specifically Shaniwar Peth. The plan includes construction of two tunnels -- one stretching from Shaniwarwada to Swargate, and another from Sarasbaug to Shaniwarwada -- covering a total length of 2.5 kilometres.

The tunnels are intended to serve as alternative routes to the heavily congested Shivaji Road and Bajirao Road. Currently, Shivaji Road carries traffic from Shaniwarwada to Swargate, while Bajirao Road handles the return flow.

The inspection was organised at the request of Kasba MLA Hemant Rasane, who accompanied the minister to the main gate of Shaniwarwada in Shaniwar Peth -- where the two one-way roads intersect.

However, BJP MLA Hemant Rasane clarified the situation, saying, "We showed him where the project is expected to begin and briefed him in detail. He assured us he would study the matter further and call for a follow-up discussion soon."

"In view of the growing traffic, to avoid inconvenience to citizens and keeping the minister's security in mind, the police administration suggested the inspection be cut short," Rasane added. "The minister agreed and conveyed that the site visit could be rescheduled. He encouraged us to meet him later for further discussion."

Rasane further mentioned that there had been "some miscommunication with the police and the civic administration," as they were not informed in advance about the nature of the inspection.

Despite the shortened visit, Rasane said it was still productive. "The minister witnessed firsthand the urgent need for the tunnel in the congested old city core," he said.