Mumbai: MMRDA has tunnel vision
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced a major milestone in improving Mumbai’s transportation infrastructure. The MMRDA has approved the appointment of Larson & Toubro Ltd as the contractor for the construction of an underground tunnel which will provide a traffic-free route between the Orange Gate on the Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time. The project will begin at the end of this year and take three to four years to complete.
The Eastern Freeway, linking Mankhurd to Chembur Junction, has improved transportation to south Mumbai. However, increased traffic at Orange Gate poses challenges for the Mumbai Port Trust and Main Post Office square. To address this, the MMRDA plans a 9.23-km corridor linking Orange Gate to the Coastal Road at Marine Drive. The project includes a 6.51-km twin-tube underground tunnel, ensuring safety for the Mumbai Metro Line 3 and avoiding disruption to central rail or high-rise foundations. Safety measures are prioritized due to the project’s proximity to heritage sites and densely populated areas in south Mumbai
Approves appointment of L&T as contractor to build traffic-free route to improve connectivity between Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive
Existing tunnels of the Eastern Freeway at Chembur. The new tunnel will be part of a 9.23-km corridor that will link the Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate to the Coastal Road at Marine Drive. File pic/Shadab Khan.
Commissioner Speak
Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner at MMRDA, highlights the agency’s commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure and overall development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The construction of an underground tunnel is a crucial step toward improving connectivity between the east and west coasts of south Mumbai, complementing other major projects like the Sewri-Worli elevated connector, Mumbai-Trans Harbour Link, Eastern Freeway, Mumbai Coastal Road project, and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
*Disclaimer: Content taken from Mid-Day e-news paper
