Mumbai to soon get India’s first-ever twin undersea tunnels

India’s First Undersea Twin Tunnels part of the 10.58 km of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, have neared completion and are set to inaugurate in the second week of February 2024. 

In a groundbreaking development set to redefine Mumbai's infrastructure landscape, the city is on the brink of welcoming India's first-ever twin undersea tunnels. The ambitious project aims to alleviate the perennial traffic congestion that plagues the bustling metropolis, providing a much-needed respite for its residents.

The twin tunnels with a diameter of 12.19 m, are set to connect Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and run 17-20 meters below sea level. Starting near Girgaon (ahead of Marine Drive), the tunnels extend north under the Arabian Sea, Girgaon Chowpatty, and Malabar Hill, and end at Breach Candy’s Priyadarshini Park. 

The undersea tunnels, designed to be a marvel of engineering, feature six crosswalks, four for pedestrians, and two for motorists, and each tunnel has three 3.2-meter-wide channels. The deepest point of the tunnels reaches 72 m near Malabar Hill.

Spearheaded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) the 2.07 km tunnels are a part of the INR 12,721 crore Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) being built by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Poised to enhance connectivity and ease the daily commute for thousands of Mumbaikars, this recent development marks a significant stride in India's infrastructure endeavors. 

Experts predict that the twin tunnels will not only serve as a crucial transportation link but also open up new avenues for economic development, tourism, and cultural exchange between Mumbai and Elephanta Island. The latter, renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site caves housing ancient rock-cut sculptures, will become more accessible, attracting a larger influx of domestic and international tourists.

The project has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to addressing Mumbai's ever-growing traffic challenges. Environmental considerations have also been taken into account, with the incorporation of sustainable practices and measures to minimize the ecological impact on the Arabian Sea.

As the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the twin undersea tunnels represent a paradigm shift in urban planning and infrastructure development. With construction nearing completion, the city eagerly anticipates the inauguration of this transformative project, set to redefine Mumbai's skyline and revolutionize the way its residents traverse the vibrant city.