Mumbai Orange Gate Tunnel Achieves 1 Km Excavation Milestone

Mumbai Orange Gate to Marine Drive Tunnel Achieves 1 Km Excavation Milestone, Set for 2028 Completion

Mumbai’s ₹8,056-crore underground tunnel project has completed its 1 Km of excavation. The new road link aims to cut travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive from 30 minutes to just five minutes.

Mumbai’s infrastructure development has reached another important milestone, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) completing 1 Km of excavation for the Orange Gate to Marine Drive underground tunnel project. The project aims to provide a faster road connection between the Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive, making travel across parts of South Mumbai more convenient.

With an estimated cost of ₹8,056 crore, the project includes twin underground tunnels stretching approximately 7 km. Once completed, the new route is expected to help reduce traffic pressure on busy city roads and improve connectivity for daily commuters.

Mumbai Underground Tunnel Project Targets December 2028 Completion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in January 2024, and tunneling work began in December 2025. MMRDA has set December 2028 as the target for completion.

The tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive from around 30 minutes to approximately five minutes. This could make a significant difference for motorists traveling between eastern Mumbai and the city's coastal road network.

Twin Tunnels to Include Dedicated Emergency Lanes

The project will feature two underground tunnels, each designed with two traffic lanes measuring 3.2 meters wide and an emergency lane. Cross passages will connect the tunnels at intervals of about 300 meters, providing access for emergency response and evacuation.

Modern infrastructure will also support the tunnel's operations. Planned features include advanced ventilation systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and AI-enabled traffic management technology. These systems are intended to improve traffic monitoring, maintain safe operating conditions and support smoother vehicle movement.

Orange Gate Tunnel Route to Pass Beneath Railway and Metro Lines

The underground route will pass beneath several major transportation corridors in Mumbai. These include the Harbour Line near the Old Elphinstone Bridge and the Western Railway line near Charni Road station.

The tunnel will also cross the proposed Metro Line 11 and Metro Line 3 corridors near Lamington Road Junction. Its planned endpoint is near Bal Bhavan on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road at Marine Drive.

Some sections of the tunnel will be located nearly 50 meters below ground level. Building the route beneath existing railway and metro infrastructure requires careful planning and engineering to minimize disruption to Mumbai's transport network.

Mumbai Orange Gate Tunnel Expected to Carry 14,650 Vehicles Daily

Project estimates suggest that around 14,650 vehicles could use the tunnel each day by 2029. The direct connection between the Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive is expected to give motorists another travel option and help ease congestion on surface roads in South Mumbai.

The project is part of MMRDA's broader plan to improve Mumbai's transport infrastructure by connecting major road networks, metro lines, coastal routes and underground corridors.

New Road Link to Support Mumbai's Growing Transport Network

The Orange Gate to Marine Drive tunnel is expected to play an important role in Mumbai's long-term development. By creating a direct underground route between key parts of the city, the project aims to make road travel faster and improve access to major transport corridors.

With 1 Km of excavation completed and further construction underway, the project marks another step toward expanding Mumbai's road infrastructure. Once operational, the tunnel could offer commuters a more efficient way to travel across the city and support smoother traffic movement in South Mumbai.