"Mumbai Coastal Road: Inside the Construction of Tunnels Beneath Malabar Hill"

The inaugural phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, slated to partially open to the public from February 20, marks a significant milestone in the city's transportation infrastructure. Conceived by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the project aims to alleviate congestion on existing roads by providing an alternative North-South Trunk route along the Western Seafront.

Phase I of the project, estimated at Rs. 12,721 crore, encompasses the construction of a 10.58 km road stretching from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Lines to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, with extensive seafront development. Notably, the project's execution involves the collaboration of several contractors:

• Package 1: Priyadarshini Park to Baroda Palace, managed by Larsen & Toubro.


• Packages 2 & 3: Baroda Palace to Worli End of Bandra Worli Sea Link, undertaken by Hindustan Construction Company and Hyundai Development Company Joint Venture.


• Package 4: Princess Street Flyover to Priyadarshini Park, including tunnels beneath Malabar Hill, also executed by Larsen & Toubro.

Among the project's most daunting engineering feats is the construction of twin tunnels spanning 2.07 km beneath Malabar Hill, adjacent to the sea coast. Employing the tunnel boring machine 'Mavala,' named after infantry warriors in Shivaji’s army, this segment represents a significant technical challenge.

Larsen & Toubro, responsible for Package-1 and Package-4, provided ET Infra with an exclusive glimpse into the under-construction tunnels connecting Priyadarshini Park and Girgaon Chowpatty. These tunnels, situated 20 meters below the Arabian Sea and 70 meters beneath Malabar Hill, pose unique challenges due to the city's complex geological profile.

Navigating through hard rock structures like Basalt and managing groundwater pressure, the construction team executed the tunneling work with precision, particularly given the area's proximity to prominent residential complexes and governmental establishments.

Once completed, Phase I of the Coastal Road Project promises substantial improvements in travel time, reducing the journey between the Princess Street Flyover and Worli from over 30 minutes to just 10 minutes. BMC anticipates significant fuel savings and enhanced public transportation options with the implementation of dedicated Bus Rapid Transit System and Lanes along the route.

Additionally, the project will contribute to the city's green space, with approximately 70 hectares of new green areas planned alongside sustainable development initiatives for recreational public spaces and promenades.

ET