BMC May Scrap Grant Road Flyover for Sustainable Tunnel Option

09 Apr 2025 CW Team

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.

Resources

09 Mar 2026

Haworth India Hosts Women’s Leadership Panel Series

Haworth India marked International Women’s Day by hosting a leadership roundtable series titled ‘Give to Gain’, bringing together senior women leaders from architecture and design firms, corporates and project management consultancies. The series has been conducted in Delhi and Mumbai, with upcoming sessions scheduled in Bengaluru and Hyderabad on 27 March 2026. Structured as moderated panel discussions followed by audience interaction, the initiative examined the business impact of women’s leadership and the role of inclusive workplaces in supporting professional growth. Manish Khan..

Max Estates Secures RERA For Max One Project

Max Estates has secured RERA approval (UPRERA No.: UPRERAPRJ9759) for its Max One development around Max Towers in Sector 16B, Noida, bringing renewed progress to a project previously stalled following the insolvency of its earlier developer. Spread across around 10 acres with an estimated development potential of about 2.5 million sq ft, Max One is planned as an integrated mixed-use campus combining serviced residences, premium offices, retail spaces and a private club. The project is expected to generate total sales potential of about Rs 20 billion along with an estimated annuity rental inc..

Hindware Introduces Starc Smart Wall Mount Toilet

Hindware has introduced the Starc Smart Wall-Mount Toilet under its Hindware Italian Collection, designed to combine automation, hygiene and contemporary bathroom aesthetics. The model features automatic flushing, sensor-based seat opening and closing, and remote-controlled functions. It also includes an oscillating water spray and warm air dryer for cleaning, along with a self-cleaning nozzle designed to maintain hygiene. Additional features include adjustable heated seating, customisable water temperature and pressure settings, a foot-touch flush system and an LCD control interface. The wa..