Mumbai's Revolutionary Infrastructure: New Tunnel and Elevated Freeway to Transform City Travel Times

The twin tunnel project spans a total length of 9.96 km.

Mumbai:

The Mahayuti Government is accelerating high-profile infrastructure projects ahead of upcoming municipal corporation elections, particularly the significant Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) poll.

Construction has begun on the Orange Gate-Marine Drive Tunnel, marking a significant advancement for Mumbai's infrastructure network. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde officially launched the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for this critical project that will connect Orange Gate on the eastern edge to Marine Drive.

Chief Minister Fadnavis stated, "Eastern Freeway users have endured extensive detours and congestion for years. The Orange Gate Tunnel was designed to address this issue. This visionary project will transform commuting in Mumbai, enhancing the city's efficiency dramatically."

He further explained that the tunnel will connect the Eastern Freeway to the Coastal Road network. "Its route passes beneath approximately 700 properties, including heritage buildings over a century old. The tunnel travels under Western Railway, Central Railway, and Metro lines without disturbing existing infrastructure, representing a remarkable engineering achievement."

This twin tunnel project stretches 9.96 km, featuring 3-3.5 km sections with two lanes plus an emergency lane. The infrastructure includes state-of-the-art ventilation systems, ITS Smart Mobility technology, and AI-powered traffic management for optimal safety and efficiency. While completion is scheduled for December 2028, efforts are underway to deliver the project six months earlier.

"Upon completion, this tunnel will save countless hours for thousands of commuters. MMRDA's dedication to advancing this project deserves recognition. This development will significantly strengthen Mumbai's infrastructure and support the city's long-term development vision," Fadnavis added.

Alongside the twin-tunnel initiative, construction has also commenced on the Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension. This complementary project will enable travel between South Mumbai and Thane in just 25-30 minutes.

MMRDA has begun building the 13.9 km, fully elevated 6-lane high-speed corridor that will substantially reduce travel time and alleviate daily congestion on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), one of Mumbai's most heavily traveled routes serving hundreds of thousands of commuters daily.

The corridor will extend from Anand Nagar, Thane to Chheda Nagar, Ghatkopar, with strategic connections at Mulund, Airoli, JVLR, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Mankhurd, and Ghatkopar. In Thane, it will integrate seamlessly with the Anand Nagar-Saket Elevated Road, creating an uninterrupted high-speed route. It will also provide direct connectivity to the Samruddhi Expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur.

Once operational, the project is anticipated to optimize traffic flow, reduce emissions, and provide a faster, more reliable, and environmentally friendly commute for hundreds of thousands of citizens, while stimulating economic activity throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Demonstrating MMRDA's commitment to environmental sustainability, the Vikhroli-Ghatkopar section was realigned to preserve 127 Pink Trumpet trees. Additionally, 4,175 new trees will be planted as compensatory green coverage.