Orange Gate–Marine Drive Twin Tunnel to Cut Travel Time to Just 5–7 Minutes by December 2028: CM Fadnavis
Mumbai’s ambitious 9.96-km twin tunnel project, designed to ease South Mumbai’s chronic traffic congestion, officially begins underground excavation; TBM ‘Mavala’ launched, project targeted for early completion.
The Maharashtra:
Government has announced that the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Twin Tunnel Project will be completed by December 2028, allowing commuters to cover the stretch in just 5–7 minutes instead of the current 35–45 minutes.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the TBM ‘Mavala’ at the Orange Gate launching shaft, marking the official start of the underground tunnelling phase. MMRDA aims to finish the project ahead of schedule.
The 9.96-km twin tunnel will run 52 meters below ground, passing safely under Metro Line-3, Central/Western Railway routes, and nearly 700 properties, including old and heritage structures. The TBM, previously used in the Coastal Road Project, has been upgraded for this phase.
Actual underground excavation begins 20 December, and the first TBM is expected to surface at the Marine Drive end in about 1.5 years. A second TBM is under construction in Japan.
