MMRDA Secures Rs 73.26 Bn Loan for Orange Gate to Marine Drive Tunnel

19 Feb 2025 CW Team

In a major step towards transforming Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, MMRDA has successfully secured financial closure for the Underground Orange Gate to Marine Drive Tunnel Road, with Rs 73.26 billion sanctioned by Union Bank of India, Large Corporate Branch, Mumbai. This reflects the strong financial credibility of MMRDA and its commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure without delays.

Project Highlights: - 9.2 km underground coastal route seamlessly linking Orange Gate (Eastern Freeway) to Marine Drive Coastal Road - 6.52 km twin-tunnel system with dedicated emergency lanes for enhanced safety - Strengthening east-west connectivity and creating a ring route for South Mumbai

Under the dynamic leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chairmanship of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, signed this landmark agreement, marking a new era in Mumbai’s infrastructure growth. Senior MMRDA officials including Additional Commissioners Vikram Kumar & Ashwin Mudgal, Joint Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma, and MMMOCL MD Rubal Agarwal, Financial Advisor Ankush Nawale were also present for this historic moment.

MMRDA continues to achieve financial closures for critical projects, ensuring Mumbai's development never slows down. With Union Bank of India’s backing, this project will soon become a reality, revolutionizing urban mobility for Mumbaikars!

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 ..

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 ..

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..