Mumbai To Revamp Mobility With Tunnels Across City, Connecting Airport, Metro, Bullet Train And More | All You Need To Know

Mumbai Tunnel Network: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has started working on a detailed project report (DPR) for a 70-km tunnel road network in Mumbai to ease traffic congestion and provide a seamless travel experience to people between key locations.

As part of the plan, MMRDA is looking to connect Mumbai Coastal Road, the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the bullet train terminal and the Mumbai airport.

The proposed project will take part of Mumbai's traffic underground to divert it from jam-packed roads such as the Western Express Highway (WEH) and SV Road.

According to a report by The Indian Express, it will become the third mode of travel in the city after roads and elevated metro corridors.

Three phases of tunnel network 

The MMRDA officials said that the tunnel system will be constructed in three phases.

-Phase I: 16 km connecting Worli Sea Link, BKC and airport and the Coastal Road, bullet train terminal. The completion of phase I will ease traffic pressure on WEH and SV Road.

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-Phase II: This phase will have a 10-km tunnel stretch providing east-to-west connectivity between Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and WEH. It will prove beneficial for cross-city commuters.

-Phase III: The longest, running 44 km, will be a north-south connecting system and will serve both passengers and goods traffic for easy in and out through the city.

What did government say?

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the project will help the city to move faster and more efficiently. 

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"Mumbai’s progress depends on how quickly people and goods can move. The tunnel network will connect roads, the metro and the Coastal Road to create smoother, safer travel across the city," he said.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, who is also MMRDA chairman, termed the project a new dimension of mobility.

"This takes travel underground and adds a new layer to the city’s transport system. When integrated with the Coastal Road, the Metro and the Bullet Train, it will bring the idea of Mumbai in Minutes much closer," The Indian Express quoted him as saying.