Thane-Borivali in 20 Minutes: Wildlife Board Greenlights Twin Tunnel Project

Mumbai: National Board of Wildlife has granted approval for Rs 16,600 crore Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said on Sunday.

As per a statement issued by MMRDA, proposed twin tunnel between neighbouring Thane city and Borivali under Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) will provide direct connectivity between Eastern and Western Express Highways.

In a post on X, MMRDA commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said, “Happy to inform that National Board of Wildlife has granted approval to Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel. This marks an important milestone in starting work of this watershed project.” twin tunnel will be built at cost of Rs 16,600.40 crore and total length of tunnel will be 11.8 km, out of which 1.55 km will be approach ro, release said.

All you need to know about Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project 

• tunnel will reduce hour-long trip between Thane and Borivali to 20 minutes by passing through Sanjay Gandhi National Park, home to eighteen wildlife species that are protected. This will assist commuters avoid congested route y currently take by giving m a shorter one.
• twin tunnel will be built at cost of Rs 16,600.40 crore and total length of tunnel will be 11.8 km, out of which 1.55 km will be approach ro,
• outer diameter will be 13.05 metres (two tunnels each of two lanes plus one emergency lane), and re will be cross passages every 300 meters, it stated.
• n-Urban Development Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, h stated that special care would be taken to prevent any harm on national park's biodiversity when he announced project in July 2021.
• Ekta Nagar, Magathane in Borivali, and Tikuji-Ni-Wi near Manpa in Thane would be connected by three-lane tunnels.
   (With inputs from PTI)