L&T gets contract for Mumbai's longest underground tunnel project

18 Sep 2023 CW Team

This underground passage is poised to create a congestion-free pathway between Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate and Marine Drive, thereby augmenting connectivity and reducing travel durations significantly.

As per the MMRDA's official statement, the Eastern Freeway, which links Mankhurd to Chembur Junction and Orange Gate on P'Dimello Road, has substantially enhanced transportation to South Mumbai. Nevertheless, the escalating traffic congestion around Orange Gate poses challenges for both the Mumbai Port Trust and the Main Post Office square on P'Dimello Marg.

To address these pressing concerns and establish a seamless road-based transit network, the MMRDA has outlined plans to construct a 9.23 km corridor, connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to the coastal road at Marine Drive.

The extensive project entails the creation of a 6.51 km twin-tube underground tunnel, with each tunnel accommodating 2+2 traffic lanes, 1+1 emergency lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Additionally, the undertaking includes the construction of a viaduct for vehicle access at the Eastern Freeway Orange Gate, open cuts, and access roads on both sides of the corridor. The left-side tunnel will traverse beneath the seaway and remerge after B. D. SomChowk.

Crucially, the project has been meticulously planned to ensure the safety of the underground Mumbai Metro Line-3 project. To achieve this, the tunnel will be situated at a depth of approximately 40 meters from ground level, thereby avoiding any interference with central rail or high-rise building foundations. Given its proximity to heritage sites and densely populated areas in South Mumbai, utmost attention is being devoted to implementing rigorous safety measures throughout the project's execution.

Keywords –

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has granted approval for the selection of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the designated contractor responsible for the construction of the city's longest underground tunnel, connecting Orange Gate and Marine Drive.This underground passage is poised to create a congestion-free pathway between Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate and Marine Drive, thereby augmenting connectivity and reducing travel durations significantly.As per the MMRDA's official statement, the Eastern Freeway, which links Mankhurd to Chembur Junction and Orange Gate on P'Dimello Road, has substantially enhanced transportation to South Mumbai. Nevertheless, the escalating traffic congestion around Orange Gate poses challenges for both the Mumbai Port Trust and the Main Post Office square on P'Dimello Marg.To address these pressing concerns and establish a seamless road-based transit network, the MMRDA has outlined plans to construct a 9.23 km corridor, connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to the coastal road at Marine Drive.The extensive project entails the creation of a 6.51 km twin-tube underground tunnel, with each tunnel accommodating 2+2 traffic lanes, 1+1 emergency lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Additionally, the undertaking includes the construction of a viaduct for vehicle access at the Eastern Freeway Orange Gate, open cuts, and access roads on both sides of the corridor. The left-side tunnel will traverse beneath the seaway and remerge after B. D. SomChowk.Crucially, the project has been meticulously planned to ensure the safety of the underground Mumbai Metro Line-3 project. To achieve this, the tunnel will be situated at a depth of approximately 40 meters from ground level, thereby avoiding any interference with central rail or high-rise building foundations. Given its proximity to heritage sites and densely populated areas in South Mumbai, utmost attention is being devoted to implementing rigorous safety measures throughout the project's execution.Keywords –

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..