The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has achieved a major engineering milestone by successfully completing the south-bound excavation for the Orange Gate to Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel right beneath active railway tracks in Mumbai without affecting daily commuter services. This marks the first time in India that a massive tunnel boring machine has successfully passed underneath live railway infrastructure. Here are the key highlights of this crucial infrastructure project. The massive 12.19-meter Tunnel Boring Machine successfully navigated 23 meters below seven operational Central and Harbour railway tracks. The machine covered a distance of 54 meters in just five days without causing any disruptions to the daily traffic of over 240 trains. The entire operation was executed under continuous 24/7 instrumentation and survey monitoring adhering to strict safety protocols coordinated with Central Railway.
Engineering Marvel Beneath Mumbai Tracks
The successful completion of this underground excavation is a testament to advanced civil engineering. The operation required meticulous planning and seamless coordination with the Central Railway authorities and the Commission of Railway Safety. Due to the high density of suburban train movements, engineers monitored ground stability round the clock to ensure absolute safety for passengers and railway operations alike.
Project Timeline and Future Benefits
Valued at ₹8,056 crore, the ambitious infrastructure initiative involves constructing twin tunnels with an inner diameter of 11 meters. Once fully operational, the project is designed to drastically reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive to approximately five minutes. Authorities have outlined a clear timeline for the remaining work. The project is expected to be completed by December 2028, with the south-bound tunnel reaching Marine Drive by December 2027. Since the foundation stone was laid on January 12, 2024, the project has already achieved 14 percent physical progress. This vital road link will significantly ease traffic congestion in south Mumbai and offer a seamless commuting experience once opened to the public.