The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has finalised Larson & Toubro Ltd as the contractor for the construction of an underground tunnel measuring 6.51 km connecting Coastal Road with Eastern Freeway.
This is a part of 9.23-km-long corridor, which will provide a traffic-free route between the Orange Gate on the Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time.
Larsen & Toubro has been finalised to execute the project at a cost of ₹77,65,09,66,000. The decision was taken at a meeting of MMRDA’s executive committee headed by chief secretary Manoj Saunik on September 12.
The project will begin at the end of this year and take three to four years to complete. It will also connect the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) to Coastal Road and the Freeway.
Each tunnel will have an 11-metre inner diameter and will accommodate 2+2 traffic lanes, 1+1 emergency lanes, and pedestrian walkways, officials said. The left-side tunnel will pass beneath the seaway and resurface after B D Somani Chowk.
The Eastern Freeway, connecting Mankhurd to Chembur Junction, and Orange Gate on P D’Mello Road, has significantly improved transportation to south Mumbai.
However, the increased traffic at Orange Gate has become a challenge for the Mumbai Port Trust and the Main Post Office square on P D’Mello Marg. This project will ensure a fast and smooth travel from Eastern Freeway to Mantralaya in South Mumbai and Marine Drive.
This project has been planned by considering the safety of underground Metro line 3. For this, the depth of the tunnel will be about 40 metres from the ground level, ensuring it doesn’t obstruct the metro rail or high-rise building foundations, the officials pointed out.
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