Patel Engineering Limited, a leading infrastructure company, has announced the successful tunnel breakthrough of the Powai–Ghatkopar Water Tunnel project, being executed for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The achievement marks the completion of two key underground segments — 2.045 km from the SCI shaft to the Ghatkopar High-Level Reservoir (HLR), and 0.742 km from the HLR to the Low-Level Reservoir (LLR) — using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology. The work is being carried out under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, with Patel Engineering as the sole private partner.

Strengthening Mumbai’s water infrastructure

Once completed, the project will significantly upgrade Mumbai’s ageing water supply network in the eastern suburbs. The tunnel is designed to replace older surface pipelines with a robust underground system, enhancing supply reliability, minimising leakage and contamination, and reducing surface-level disruptions.

The tunnel will enable efficient water transmission to the Ghatkopar reservoirs under real-time monitoring, contributing to greater operational efficiency and long-term sustainability in water distribution for millions of residents.

Advanced TBM method ensures precision and minimal disruption

Designed for Mumbai’s dense urban layout, the tunnel has been excavated at a depth of around 60 metres using a custom-built TBM tailored to local geological conditions. The machine excavates with a diameter of 2.80 metres, resulting in a finished internal diameter of 2.20 metres. TBM technology was selected for its precision and ability to minimise disruption in densely populated zones.

News source: The Free Press Journal