On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officiate the groundbreaking ceremony for the ambitious inter-district tunnel connecting Borivali in Mumbai to Ghodbunder Road in Thane.
The project, estimated to cost over Rs 16,600 crore, aims to significantly enhance connectivity in the region.
The Borivali-Thane Tunnel will be the second twin-tunnel system passing beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), creating a direct link between the Eastern and Western Express Highways.
Currently, the distance between Borivali and Thane is approximately 23 km, often taking vehicles between 60 to 100 minutes to traverse.
Once completed, this distance will be reduced by about 12 km, cutting the commute time to just 20 minutes.
Following the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board’s approval in October 2023, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the construction process for this significant project, which will traverse the lush SGNP, home to diverse wildlife, including leopards.
The project envisioned nearly a decade ago, includes the construction of a four-lane subterranean road with an emergency lane, totaling six lanes in each direction.
The twin-tunnel system will however span approximately 11.08 km, featuring a main tunnel of 10.25 km and an approach road of 1.55 km.
Each tunnel will have a diameter of 13.05 meters, allowing vehicles to travel at speeds exceeding 80 km/h.
To ensure safety and functionality, the team will equip the tunnel with a dedicated ventilation system, cross passages every 300 meters, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and LED lighting.
The project will be in phases, with Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. responsible for two sections.
The team however will utilize four tunnel boring machines for the excavation process.
The construction will require approximately 46.57 hectares of land, including nearly 35.54 hectares of forest area, necessitating state approval and the resettlement of six villages along the route.
The new tunnel is likely to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce fuel costs, and provide substantial economic benefits.
With an estimated 50,000 passenger car units (PCUs) projected to use the tunnel daily, it will serve as a crucial link between Ghodbunder Road in Thane and the Western Express Highway in Borivali.
Meanwhile, the MMRDA’s survey report highlighted that Ghodbunder Road (SH-42), which connects NH-3 and NH-8, is currently oversaturated, underscoring the need for an alternative route to improve traffic flow in this busy section of Mumbai’s northern suburbs.
This project however represents a significant step forward in enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in the Mumbai metropolitan region, aligning with broader development goals ahead of the upcoming elections.
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