Tunnel planned at Amba Ghat; Gadkari asks officials to prepare DPR, says Samant

The road journey between the Konkan and Western Maharashtra could change in the coming days. A tunnel has been proposed through the Amba Ghat area, and the state government is now moving towards a detailed assessment of it. Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant said Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has asked officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed tunnel.

Samant gave the information on November 3. According to him, he had put the proposal to Gadkari in a meeting in Delhi about two months ago. After that conversation, officials were instructed to begin the DPR process. Initial administrative work is said to have begun.

The minister said that once the tunnel is built, the journey between Kagal in Kolhapur district and Ratnagiri could come down to about an hour. However, he said this is only an estimate. The actual time will become clear only once the route and technical details are finalised.

At present, motorists travelling between Ratnagiri and Kolhapur have to negotiate the winding road and steep climb of Amba Ghat. The route becomes harder in the rainy season, as heavy rain makes driving difficult and the journey takes longer.

Once the tunnel is built, the two areas could get a more direct connection. This could make things easier for daily commuters, transport operators and traders. Links between the Konkan coast and the industrial centres of Western Maharashtra could also grow stronger.

For now, the project is only at the planning stage. The tunnel's alignment, length, construction cost, approvals and work schedule will depend on what emerges in the DPR and on government decisions that follow.

Samant also stressed the need to improve the existing roads between Ratnagiri and Kolhapur. He said officials in both districts have been asked to focus on road quality and to quickly complete stalled bypass work so that traffic can move smoothly.

The minister also presented Ratnagiri and the wider Konkan region as a place to invest in industry. Referring to plans to increase industrial activity around Kolhapur, he said entrepreneurs should also look at the opportunities available in coastal areas.

The industries department is also preparing to hold a workshop in the next fortnight with major IT sector entrepreneurs from Kolhapur and Satara. The aim of the discussion is to explore opportunities to bring technology companies and fresh investment to the two districts.