Work Speeds Up On Mumbai's Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel; Travel Time Set To Drop From 90 To 15 Minutes

The Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel Project, India’s largest and longest urban tunnel road initiative, is progressing swiftly, as per an update shared by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The 11.8 km twin tunnel, undertaken by MMRDA, is set to connect Thane’s Ghodbunder Road directly to the Western Express Highway in Borivali.

The Rs 12,057 crore tunnel project, divided into two packages — 5.75 km from Borivali and 6.09 km from Thane aims to slash travel time between the two suburbs from over an hour to just 15 minutes.

Cutting through the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the project is employing advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for precision and eco-friendly excavation.

Two high-capacity TBMs, named ‘Nayak’ and ‘Arjuna,’ have been procured from Herrenknecht India in Chennai.

On the construction front, major progress has been achieved. Excavation of the TBM launching shaft in Thane, which began in October 2024, is now nearing completion.

The casting yard in Thane is fully operational, while work on the Borivali yard is underway. Land acquisition in Thane is almost complete, and rehabilitation of project-affected families in Borivali has started.

Designed to ease traffic congestion along Ghodbunder Road and reduce vehicular emissions, the project is expected to deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits to the region.

Each tunnel will feature two traffic lanes and one emergency lane, with cross-passages every 300 metres to ensure safety.

State-of-the-art systems for ventilation, fire suppression, smoke detection, and LED signage will be installed to enhance commuter safety and comfort.

During a review meeting in June, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the project by December 2028.

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