What is Mumbai’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive Tunnel Project? To connect residents to Navi Mumbai international airport, check details
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Coast Road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive, marking a revolution in Mumbai’s transportation. The underground road project will help residents access Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Mumbai’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive Tunnel Project
The upcoming tunnel project will mark a historic moment in Mumbai’s transport sector as tunneling work has begun on India’s first urban road tunnel. The 9,239-km-long Coast Road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive in South Mumbai will save “thousands of hours for thousands of people”, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
What is the Orange Gate to Marine Drive Urban Highway Tunnel Project?
CM Devendra Fadnavis launched Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for Urban Road Tunnel Project from Orange Gate to Marine Drive. The 9.25 km long tunnel will be an engineering marvel. He said it will pass under the Central Railway and Western Railway lines, and even 50 meters below the underground Metro 3 line. Describing it as an “engineering marvel”, Fadnavis stood on the field and said, “Thousands of hours of thousands of people will be saved.”
The CM also said that the tunnel will be built under 700 structures, including many heritage properties. The CM said that as per the current plan, the Orange Gate-Marine Drive underground tunnel is likely to be completed by 2028, but the state government is working to complete the project six months before the deadline.
How will the tunnel project be beneficial for Mumbai residents?
The tunnel will serve as an alternative route for south Mumbai residents and those living in the city’s western suburbs to quickly access Navi Mumbai international airport as another connecting point between Sewri and Worli is under construction. Coastal Road currently connects Marine Drive to Worli, where it connects to the Bandra-Worli Marine Link.
Deputy CM Ekanath Shinde, Mumbai Guardian minister Mangal Prasad Lodha and Speaker Rahul Narvekar were among those present at the CPC launch event.
