Thane-Borivli Twin Tunnel To Slash Travel Time By 45 Minutes: Completion Timeline Revealed

Work on the Thane-Borivli underground twin tunnel, passing beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is scheduled to begin in the upcoming months. This ambitious project aims to reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion by providing a direct route between Thane and Borivli.

The tunnel, spanning 11.8 kilometres in length with an outer diameter of 13.05 metres, will consist of two lanes per tunnel along with an emergency lane. The project has been divided into three packages. The first package includes a 5.75-kilometre section on the Borivli side, the second package covers a 6.05-kilometre tunnel on the Thane side, and the third package involves the installation of electrical, mechanical, and fire systems.

According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), this project will help reduce the travel distance by 12 kilometres, saving motorists up to one hour of travel time. Additionally, the tunnel will allow vehicles to travel at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour, reducing fuel consumption by an estimated 10.5 lakh metric tonnes and cutting carbon emissions by 36 per cent.

The project, which is estimated to cost over Rs 14,400 crore, is expected to be completed in five and a half years. A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will be used to minimise disruption to the biodiversity of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Photo Credit: PTI

One significant challenge with this project is the excavation of approximately 3.5 million cubic metres of soil, equivalent to about 1,40,000 truckloads. The contractor, Megh Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, has identified three sites near Mankoli, Kalher, and Ranjnoli for dumping the excavated soil.

Initially, 30,000 cubic metres will be used for the development of a casting yard at Kasarvadavli. However, the massive soil displacement raises concerns about transportation and disposal, which will be closely monitored by the relevant authorities.