Mumbai’s 15-minute Thane Borivali commute inches closer as last hurdle cleared

Earlier, a notice on April 17 had offered temporary accommodation in Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) buildings in Borivali East, Dahisar East and Kandivli West, with unit sizes ranging from 269 sq ft to 300 sq ft. These were meant as interim housing for one year until permanent rehabilitation units are ready. However, officials said residents raised objections over unit size, building conditions and location. As per norms, PAPs are entitled to 305 sq ft homes.

“Enough homes of 305 sqft are not available, hence we had offered the residents temporary homes of lesser area or the option of rent of Rs 20,000 per month. But they refused to accept it,” said an MMRDA official.

Of the 199 residents, 86 accepted the offer, while notices were served to the remaining 113. Officials said only 33 now remain unwilling to relocate.

“Only 33 of the 113 residents have not accepted the temporary homes. As the project is of public importance and the PAP rehabilitation is delaying it, their eviction will start from Tuesday,” said an MMRDA official.

Authorities have warned that eviction will be carried out with police protection if necessary. Those evicted will be issued allotment letters under the Shivshahi Rehabilitation Project in Kandivli. A deputy collector associated with the process estimated the number of remaining occupants to be between 30 and 40.

The delay in clearing the Borivali site has stalled key construction activity for the ambitious twin tunnel project. While two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have already arrived and are being assembled at the Thane end, deployment at Borivali remains blocked due to pending encroachments.

Contractor Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd has already ordered two additional TBMs from German firm Herrenknecht AG, but dispatch has been held up as the site is not yet ready. Once operational, all four TBMs will simultaneously excavate from both ends, eventually meeting midway before being withdrawn.

The 11.84-km Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel aims to reduce travel time between Borivali and Ghodbunder Road from the current 60–90 minutes to just 15 minutes. The tunnel alignment will pass beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.