On Saturday, July 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the “Bhoomi Pujan” ceremony for two ambitious underground twin tunnel projects in Mumbai.
These two tunnel projects are the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project and the Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Project. These will pass through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is managing this development, with a project cost of Rs 19,257 crore.
These 11.8 km long tunnels will also pass under the SGNP. This will reduce the distance between Borivali in the western suburbs and Thane in the east from 23 km to just 11.8 km.
The construction cost of the tunnels is Rs 7,178 crore and Rs 5,879 crore. These tunnels with a diameter of 12.2 meters will have two passages that will allow vehicles to pass through.
The project, expected to be completed within four years, has been contracted to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL).
Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Twin Tunnel
This is part of a major project costing Rs 6,300 crore being implemented by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The entire GMLR will span 12.2 km, with each tunnel being 4.7 km long. The depth of these tunnels (SGNP and Aarey Forest) will range between 20 m and 220 m, because of the topography and geology of the area.
These tunnels will feature advanced ventilation, lighting, and electric monitoring, built using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology.
This will be the country’s largest cylindrical tunnel with a finishing diameter of 13 to 15 meters.
The GMLR tunnel will connect Film City at Bhandup in the eastern suburbs and Aarey Forest in the western suburbs. BMCE aims to have NCC Ltd and J Kumar Infra complete the work by 2028.
Significance of Projects
The significance of the tunnels lies in their ability to interconnect major suburbs of Mumbai, thereby reducing travel time and distance.
Both projects will use robust safety measures, including state-of-the-art ventilation, lighting, and monitoring systems.
According to a Deccan Herald report, the GMLR project will set a new standard for cylindrical tunnel construction in India with its large tunnel diameter.
Economically, these projects will improve connectivity and boost activity, thereby improving the overall efficiency of Mumbai’s transport infrastructure.
These initiatives reflect the Government’s commitment to improve urban infrastructure, promote regional development, and provide better transport solutions for Mumbai’s growing population.