MMRDA secures Rs 7,326-crore loan for Orange Gate underground tunnel project

On Wednesday, MMRDA commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee officially signed the loan agreement. According to MMRDA, the financial backing from Union Bank of India ensures the project’s timely completion, which will significantly enhance urban mobility for Mumbaikars.

This tunnel will be the city’s first urban tunnel, running beneath key public transport routes, including railways, Metro lines and major city roads. The road tunnel will provide an uninterrupted traffic flow, linking the eastern and western coasts of South Mumbai through the Eastern Freeway, Mumbai Trans Harbour Sealink (MTHL), Coastal Road, and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

An extension of the Eastern Freeway, the Orange Gate Tunnel will connect it to Marine Drive, improving access to South Mumbai. The tunnel is set to be constructed approximately 40 meters below ground level. The primary goal of this infrastructure project is to ease the heavy traffic congestion around Orange Gate, a long-standing issue for both the Mumbai Port Trust and the Main Post Office Square on PD Mello Marg.

At present, the launching shaft tunnel work is underway, with tunnel boring machines set to be deployed soon, according to an MMRDA official.