Prime Minister Modi To Lay Foundation Stone For Mumbai's Two Twin Tunnel Projects On 13 July

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to perform the “bhoomi pooja” ceremony for two ambitious underground twin tunnel projects in Mumbai during his visit to the city on Saturday (13 July).

The projects are Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) twin tunnel project and the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project. They will pass below the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).

The Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) twin tunnels

It is part of a major project valued at Rs 6,300 crore, being executed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The entire GMLR will span 12.2 km, with the tunnels themselves each being 4.7 km long. The depth of these tunnels will vary between 20 meters and 220 meters due to the topography and geology of the area, which includes the SGNP and Aarey Forest.

Constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology, these tunnels will feature advanced ventilation, lighting systems, and electric surveillance.

With a finishing diameter between 13 and 15 meters, they will be the largest cylindrical tunnels in the country.

The GMLR tunnel is set to connect Film City inside Aarey Forest in the western suburbs with Khindi Panda at Bhandup in the eastern suburbs. The BMC aims to complete this project by 2028, having awarded contracts to NCC Limited and J Kumar Infra.

Thane-Borivali twin tunnels

This represents another significant development, with a project cost of Rs 19,257 crore, managed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

These 11.8 km long tunnels will also pass beneath the SGNP, reducing the distance between Borivali in the western suburbs and Thane in the east from 23 km to just 11.8 km.

The construction of the tunnels is divided into two packages, costing Rs 7,178 crore and Rs 5,879 crore, respectively. With a diameter of 12.2 meters, these tunnels will feature two vehicular carriageways.

Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) has been contracted for this project, which is expected to be completed within four years.

Significance

The significance of these tunnels lies in their potential to enhance connectivity between key Mumbai suburbs, significantly reducing travel time and distance.

Both projects will utilise advanced tunnel boring technology and incorporate robust safety measures, including state-of-the-art ventilation, lighting, and surveillance systems.

The GMLR project, with its larger tunnel diameter, will set a new benchmark for cylindrical tunnel construction in India, reports Deccan Herald.

Economically, these projects are anticipated to boost activities by improving connectivity and reducing travel times, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of Mumbai’s transport infrastructure.

These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to upgrading urban infrastructure, fostering regional development, and providing better transportation solutions for Mumbai’s growing population.