Mumbai, a city known for its traffic, will soon get an underground tunnel at Marine Drive to ease the commute and connectivity. This infrastructural development will reshape the city’s transportation landscape.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is taking the lead in this initiative. With this, the MMRDA proves that for them, making life simpler for Mumbai residents is more important than merely building concrete structures and tunnels.
The 9.23-kilometer corridor project's ambitious goal is to link the Orange Gate of the Eastern Freeway with the picturesque Marine Drive coastline route. The traffic congestion in this area has been short of a nightmare, and with the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link (MTHL), which will connect to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), it is only anticipated to get worse.
A reputable contractor specifically chosen for this enormous project, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is taking the initiative in this transition. This vision is being driven by their knowledge.
What will be covered in this Project?
A 6.51-kilometer twin-tube subterranean tunnel with 2+2 traffic lanes, 1+1 emergency lanes, and pedestrian walkways in each tunnel makes up the centrepiece of this enormous project. The left-side tunnel, which is 4.5 km long, is for southbound traffic, whereas the right-side tunnel is for northbound traffic, and they may be distinguished by their functions. Reaching depths of up to 40 metres below the surface, this engineering marvel will travel underneath current infrastructure, including roads, subterranean metros, railroads, and historic buildings.
But in order to make way for this game-changing initiative, a number of key approvals and clearances are needed, including the clearing of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), the purchase of land, and the management of traffic obstructions. This enormous project is expected to cost over INR 7,765 crore.
The project also includes building a viaduct at the Eastern Freeway Orange Gate to provide easy access for vehicles. On both sides of the corridor, access roads and open cuts will also be built. A tunnel will cross the waterway and emerge near the renowned Wankhede Stadium, just after B. D. Somani Chowk. In order to complete the project's alignment, cut-and-cover roads and viaducts will be built, and modern tunnel boring machines will be used for the tunnelling.
How Will This Project Benefit Mumbaikars?
Reduced travel times between the city's east and west, ensuring continuous access to Marine Drive and the Eastern Motorway.
As traffic is redirected into the tunnel, the ongoing traffic bottleneck on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road will diminish.
Once the tunnel is operational, the present 30-minute commute during rush hour from the Eastern Motorway to Marine Drive will be reduced to just 10 minutes.
By lowering carbon emissions and assisting future connectivity initiatives aimed at connecting Mumbai's western and eastern regions, this tunnel will be ecologically friendly.
Faster connectivity to Navi Mumbai and beyond will benefit South Mumbai residents by improving accessibility.
All Mumbai citizens will benefit from the MMRDA's commitment to building a more efficient and open transit system.
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