Govt to conduct feasibility study of undersea tunnel construction

15 Mar 2022 CW Team

Experts want government officials to take the initiative to sanction a Rs five crore grant for a technical feasibility study of undersea tunnel construction as part of the state's coastal highway project.

If the project is funded by the government, reputable institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology, which has a separate wing for ocean engineering, can conduct the feasibility study, according to Jose Paul, former acting chairman of Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

Between Fort Kochi and Vypeen, the water edge is about 450 m wide. By car, it takes about 45 minutes to get to Fort Kochi. If the tunnel becomes a reality, it could be reduced to less than 20 minutes. It will also provide much-needed fast transportation for people travelling from the state's northern districts to the south.

According to conversations with tunnel construction experts, the total cost could be around Rs 1,500 crore. Only after the feasibility study has been completed can the actual cost be estimated.

To ensure a smooth ride for heavy vehicles, the approach road to the tunnel will require about 800 m on either side.

Jose Paul recalls the Fort Kochi boat accident seven years ago that claimed the lives of 11 passengers.

In 2015, Paul proposed an undersea tunnel to avoid such a tragedy and ensure seamless connectivity between Vypeen and Fort Kochi. Paul is also the former chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust.

Jose Paul, who was backed by Adv Majnu Komath, Goshree Action Council chairman, and Capt Phillip Mathew, MD, LOTS Shipping Limited, to take the project proposal to the Kerala government, received a positive response from experts with whom informal discussions on tunnel construction were held.

Image Source

Also read: Mumbai coastal road project: BMC completes 1 km boring

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..