The development of a 3.9-kilometer twin-tunnel passage beneath Malad Creek, the Poisar River, and adjoining mangrove areas will significantly improve transportation in Mumbai’s northern western suburbs. The subterranean segment will connect Mindspace in Malad West to Charkop in Kandivali and is an important part of the 22-kilometer Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road. Download Travel Guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tunnel package is scheduled to cost Rs 5,821 crore, with excavation set to begin in early 2027. Authorities intend to complete the coastal road project by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The underground routing was proposed in part to avoid upsetting an environmentally sensitive zone that includes mangroves and water bodies. According to the local government, the tunnel technique will lessen the need for tree removal and harm to the coastal habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the 3.9-kilometer tunnel length, approximately 3 kilometers will be circular tunnels excavated with Tunnel Boring Machines. Each will be approximately 14.2 meters in diameter and will travel beneath water bodies and creek portions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remaining about 700 meters will be divided into rectangular tunnel pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each tunnel will include three lanes of traffic and five cross-passages designed for emergency evacuation and access between the twin tubes. Tunnel widths are projected to range from 36 to 45 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The infrastructure will also contain contemporary fire-safety and accident-prevention systems, as well as ventilation and heat sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, north-south traffic across Mumbai’s western suburbs is mainly reliant on the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and SV Road. Rising traffic loads have put pressure on certain roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed coastal road is designed to provide a new high-capacity corridor, allowing traffic to avoid some of the current crowded roads between the western suburbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tunnels are being built as part of Phase II of Mumbai’s Coastal Road, a 22-kilometer stretch that will connect Versova to Bhayander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Given that the tunnels will run beneath mangrove patches, rivers, and creeks, we may say that they will be Mumbai’s first vehicle tunnels to cross aquatic bodies. We are targeting a 2029 completion date for the coastal road project, and once operational, the travel time between Versova and Bhayander will be less than 20 minutes, down from more than an hour presently,” said Abhijit Bangar, assistant municipal commissioner (Projects).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project is planned to increase connection throughout the northern and western suburbs while relieving demand on current routes. The proposed corridor could drastically cut journeys between Versova, Malad, Kandivali, and Bhayander once the entire route is operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The utilization of TBMs beneath ecologically sensitive terrain distinguishes the project as a significant engineering venture for Mumbai, integrating large-scale transportation infrastructure with measures to limit direct interference in mangrove and water-body areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With mining set to begin in 2027, the next significant milestone will be the start of subterranean excavation and building of the twin tunnels, which are expected to be one of the most technically difficult sections of the Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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