The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), with an aim to expedite the tunnel project, has proposed a change in the land reservation, demanding over 34 hectares to be de-reserved for the project work. As per reports, officials from the MMRDA have been approached for the same, who will look at the acquisition.
The Thane-Borivali tunnel projects is one of the most ambitious projects which was planned in 2015. Once completed, this longest tunnel in Maharashtra, spanning approximately 1.7 km, could reduce the travel time significantly from 2 hours, for commuters travelling to and from both the districts.
As per the current plan, the tunnel will be constructed between Manpada and Magathane bus depot, and will have a total of four lanes, three for vehicles and one for pedestrians. The estimated cost of the project is INR 10,000 crore, and this is expected to help the commuters who travel regularly via the Ghodbunder Road.
Inaugurated by Minister Eknath Shinde, this project, over the last few years has been opposed by environment activist stating that the construction work could damage the ecosystem. If approved, officials will have to reconsider the green zone, residential plans, and the proposed botanical and zoological parks. However, the team from MMRDA believes that the construction work will not affect the ecosystem as the plans have been altered after the project was handed over by the MSRDC.
A report published in the Times of India, states that the TMC had earlier acquired over 8 hectares and over 25 hectares for other project works, and the body has approached the authorities for a change in land reservation to ensure the tunnel project work begins soon.
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