MMRDA Secures Forest Land for Thane-Borivali Twin-Tunnel Road Project

Mumbai, December 7, 2024 – The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has received a major boost for its ambitious Thane-Borivali twin-tunnel road project, with the forest department granting 35.56 hectares of forest land under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP) for the underground construction. This clearance marks a significant step towards reducing travel time between the two key areas of Mumbai and Thane.

The twin-tunnel road, which will be built beneath SNGP, is expected to drastically cut down travel time between Thane and Borivali, currently taking 90 to 120 minutes, to just around 15 minutes. The distance between the two locations will be reduced from 23 km to 12 km, offering a much-needed solution to the city's traffic congestion.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the ₹18,800-crore project was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 13, 2024. The road will feature three tunnels, each with three lanes, including an emergency lane on both sides. Once completed, the tunnels will connect Borivali at the Western Express Highway to Thane at the Eastern Express Highway.

The land acquisition spans multiple locations, including parts of Manpada, Majiwada, Borivade, Yeoor, and Chene villages in Thane, and Magathane in Borivali. The project also includes the relocation of approximately 500 to 700 families from areas along the route. The rehabilitation process will involve a combination of in-situ rehabilitation and resettlement, with the MMRDA planning to provide transit homes for the affected families.

This critical phase of land acquisition and the relocation process is underway, with authorities focusing on securing private and forest land. The construction will involve the use of tunnel-boring machines (TBMs), which are expected to arrive next year. The work will be carried out in three phases: the construction of a 5.75-km tunnel from Borivali to Thane (Package 1), a 6.5-km tunnel from Thane to Borivali (Package 2), and the installation of ventilation systems and safety amenities (Package 3).

The project, set to be completed by mid-2028, will require 0.7 million liters of water per day, which will be sourced through sewage recycling from treatment plants. In addition to providing a fast transit link between the two regions, the project aims to reduce traffic congestion and contribute to the city's overall infrastructure development.

Once the tunnel is operational, the proposed toll for light motor vehicles is set at ₹200.

As the project moves forward, MMRDA officials are working closely with local residents and stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the land acquisition and rehabilitation process. The Thane-Borivali twin tunnel promises to be a transformative addition to Mumbai's infrastructure, significantly improving connectivity and reducing travel time across one of the city's busiest corridors.