In a significant development for the residents of Mumbai and Thane, the National Board of Wildlife has given its nod to the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project. IAS Sanjay Mukherjee made the announcement on a social media platform, where he conveyed the board’s approval, marking a crucial milestone for the ambitious initiative. The Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project is anticipated to bring about a substantial reduction in travel time. It will cut the 60-minute journey from Thane to Mumbai’s western suburbs down to 15-20 minutes.
Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Promises A Swift Commuting Experience
Happy to inform that the National Board of Wildlife has granted approval to the #Thane #Borivalli Twin #Tunnel. This marks an important milestone in starting work of this watershed #project#RebootingMumbai #ReshapingMMR #MumbaiIsUpgrading #MMRDA #UrbanTransformation pic.twitter.com/E3ZqOAriWR
— Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (@DrSanMukherjee) February 3, 2024
Two 10.8-kilometre road tunnels under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the corresponding approach roads on either end will also be built as part of the massive project. By providing commuters with a quicker and more effective route, this strategic infrastructure development will enable them to avoid the extremely crowded routes they currently travel. The twin tunnel project is not only positioned to improve traveller convenience, but it also has the potential to significantly reduce vehicle carbon emissions along the planned route, thereby promoting environmental sustainability.
The twin tunnels, each with three lanes, are expected to carry approximately 50,000 passenger car units (PCU) per day. According to News 18 reports, it will also link Tikuji-Ni-Wadi at Manpada in Thane with Ekta Nagar and Magathane in Borivali. In addition, the project intends to reduce traffic on Thane’s Ghodbunder Road, providing commuters in the area with a break.
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Approval Marks Milestone For Mumbai Commuters
According to News 18, there is competition between the Thane to Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel, a three-and-three-lane highway tunnel, and the proposed Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) for the coveted connectivity slot. The estimated cost of the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project is roughly Rs 8,404 crore, as per the Detailed Project Report. The project is anticipated to be implemented following the Public-Private partnership (PPP) model, indicating a strong financial foundation for its implementation.
When the project was announced in July 2021, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that extra care would be taken to avoid any negative effects on the biodiversity of the national park where the tunnels will be built.
Cover Image Courtesy: Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee/X
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