Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launches work for India’s first urban tunnel project: ‘Historic day for Mumbai’

Fadnavis said that they initially considered building a flyover, but it was deemed impossible due to space constraints and the area’s massive traffic volume.

Terming it an “engineering marvel” and highlighting the project’s technical complexity, the chief minister stated that the tunnel will pass beneath approximately 700 properties, century-old heritage buildings, and the Western and Central Railway lines. It will be 50 metres below the operational Metro Line 3.

The project targets completion by December 2028, with the implementing agency aiming to finish the work six months earlier. The work has been entrusted to Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

“Once the Worli-Sewri Sea Link opens next year and the Coastal Road connection is established, people from the western suburbs will have two options to reach the Navi Mumbai Airport. This project will save thousands of hours for thousands of people, making today a historic day for Mumbai’s transport,” the chief minister added.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel will be a major relief for Mumbai’s traffic. “Just as projects like Metro 3, Metro 2A, and Metro 7 have provided relief to the city, this underground tunnel will also transform the face of the transport system,” Shinde said.

At a glance
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is undertaking the construction of this underground road at a cost of around Rs 8,056 crore.

Key benefits

* The Eastern and Western suburbs of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai will be connected via this underground route.

* Travel time will be reduced by 15–20 minutes.

* It will help in reducing noise and air pollution, besides saving fuel.

Project details

* This is India’s first urban tunnel project that would pass underneath densely populated areas.

* The total length of the project is 9.96 km, including approximately 7 km of the underground tunnel.

* Each tunnel will have two lanes, each 3.2 metres wide, and one emergency lane. The speed limit in both tunnels will be 80 kmph.

* For safety, both tunnels will be connected by cross-passages at intervals of 300 metres.

* The tunnels are proposed to allow mechanical ventilation for air circulation, have fire suppression systems, adequate lighting, and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for appropriate and modern traffic management.

* The underground alignment of the project minimises land acquisition, preserves the urban environment, and ensures minimal disruption to the city.

* It connects major infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Atal Setu.

Tunnelling technology used

* The machine used for this project is a Slurry Shield Type Tunnel Boring Machine (Slurry Type TBM), designed for precise and safe excavation in Mumbai’s coastal underground strata, which is mixed and rocky.

* This technology has been proven to be efficient as it was also used in the Mumbai Coastal Road project.