BMC May Scrap Grant Road Flyover for Sustainable Tunnel Option
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

BMC May Scrap Grant Road Flyover for Sustainable Tunnel Option

In a shift towards sustainable urban infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering cancelling the proposed elevated flyover connecting Grant Road to Orange Gate. Estimated at Rs 13.29 billion, the flyover was intended to ease traffic in one of Mumbai’s most congested corridors.

However, the project now faces redundancy due to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) ambitious underground tunnel, which would cover much of the same alignment. The 4.46-kilometre-long tunnel—planned to run from Marine Drive to Orange Gate—will lie around 40 metres below ground and include two car lanes and an emergency lane, offering seamless traffic flow without disrupting surface-level activity.

Officials argue that, unlike the flyover, the tunnel avoids complex land acquisition in densely populated areas, offering a more sustainable, less disruptive alternative. The original flyover plan—designed as a cable-stayed bridge with a dispersal arm—would have spanned 5.6 kilometres, cutting travel time from 45 minutes to just five to seven minutes.

Though tenders for the flyover were awarded in March 2024 and soil testing commenced in November, the tunnel’s potential to deliver similar benefits without environmental and social costs has gained favour.

Experts and municipal officials, including stakeholders from the MMRDA and traffic police, are currently in discussions to finalise the decision. Environmentalists have welcomed the likely cancellation, noting its alignment with goals for zero net carbon emissions and gender-inclusive urban planning.

Should the flyover be scrapped, Mumbai may well set a precedent in India for favouring subterranean infrastructure that prioritises ecological balance, community welfare, and smart urban mobility.

In a shift towards sustainable urban infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering cancelling the proposed elevated flyover connecting Grant Road to Orange Gate. Estimated at Rs 13.29 billion, the flyover was intended to ease traffic in one of Mumbai’s most congested corridors. However, the project now faces redundancy due to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) ambitious underground tunnel, which would cover much of the same alignment. The 4.46-kilometre-long tunnel—planned to run from Marine Drive to Orange Gate—will lie around 40 metres below ground and include two car lanes and an emergency lane, offering seamless traffic flow without disrupting surface-level activity. Officials argue that, unlike the flyover, the tunnel avoids complex land acquisition in densely populated areas, offering a more sustainable, less disruptive alternative. The original flyover plan—designed as a cable-stayed bridge with a dispersal arm—would have spanned 5.6 kilometres, cutting travel time from 45 minutes to just five to seven minutes. Though tenders for the flyover were awarded in March 2024 and soil testing commenced in November, the tunnel’s potential to deliver similar benefits without environmental and social costs has gained favour. Experts and municipal officials, including stakeholders from the MMRDA and traffic police, are currently in discussions to finalise the decision. Environmentalists have welcomed the likely cancellation, noting its alignment with goals for zero net carbon emissions and gender-inclusive urban planning. Should the flyover be scrapped, Mumbai may well set a precedent in India for favouring subterranean infrastructure that prioritises ecological balance, community welfare, and smart urban mobility.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Technology

LTTS Launches AgenticIQ AI Platform for Engineering

L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has launched AgenticIQ, an end-to-end agentic AI platform designed for engineering and manufacturing organisations.The platform is aimed at helping enterprises move beyond isolated AI pilots by enabling autonomous, multi-agent workflows across engineering, product development, manufacturing, industrial operations and customer experience.AgenticIQ is built on LTTS’ Engineering Intelligence portfolio and converts existing engineering capabilities into specialised, reusable AI agents. Its planning-first architecture is embedded into engineering and production ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Walplast Invests in Vura Bau Chemie to Expand Portfolio

Walplast Products Pvt. Ltd. has announced a strategic majority investment in Vura Bau Chemie LLP as part of its plans to strengthen and expand its building and construction materials portfolio.Vura Bau Chemie offers a specialised range of tile adhesives, waterproofing solutions and stone-care products. The investment is aligned with Walplast’s long-term strategy to expand its presence across the building materials value chain and address evolving requirements in India’s construction industry.The transaction will strengthen Walplast’s offerings in the tile adhesives and waterproofing segm..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Covestro Joins KOLLEKT Circular Automotive Research Project

Covestro has joined the KOLLEKT research project, a three-year initiative focused on developing recyclable automotive lighting, mechatronic and electronic components through circular product design and advanced recycling technologies.The project brings together FORVIA HELLA as coordinator alongside BMW, Covestro, Geba, Fraunhofer IEM, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the University of Paderborn, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and SW Maschinenservice.Running from June 2026 to May 2029, KOLLEKT is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technol..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement