MMRDA begins work on DPR for Mumbai’s integrated tunnel road network

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA has initiated the process to prepare the Detailed Project Report DPR for the proposed Integrated Tunnel Road Network marking a major step towards introducing Mumbairsquos third mode of travel alongside the cityrsquos expanding surface road and metro rail systemsThis visionary initiative aims to build a highcapacity underground mobility corridor connecting the Mumbai Coastal Road BandraKurla Complex BKC HighSpeed Rail Station bullet train and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Loop Connectivity including decongestion of Western Express Highway and SV Road Once operational the tunnel network will significantly reduce traffic congestion divert throughtraffic underground and reclaim valuable urban space for citizensA strategic step towards ldquoMumbai in MinutesrdquoSpanning over 70 km across three phases the proposed tunnel system will complement Mumbairsquos surface and metro networks creating a seamless multimodal transport grid that enhances efficiency reduces pollution and saves timeGiven Mumbairsquos limited land availability and dense urban fabric the underground corridor presents a sustainable alternative to expand the cityrsquos mobility capacity without disturbing its surface infrastructureThe tunnel network will be implemented in phased manner guided by traffic requirements and future demand patternsProject implementation in phasesbull Phase I Worli Sea Link ndash BKC ndash Airport Loop Approx 16 kmConnecting the Mumbai Coastal Road with BKC and CSMIA and integrating with the MumbaindashAhmedabad HighSpeed Rail Corridor Airport Loop including decongestion of WEH amp SV Road Approx 16 kmbull Phase II EastndashWest Connectivity Approx 10 kmLinking Eastern Express Highway EEH and Western Express Highway WEH to reduce crosscity congestionbull Phase III NorthndashSouth Corridor Approx 44 kmProviding a continuous underground link across the city to support both passenger and freight movementThe Honrsquoble Chairman of MMRDA amp Deputy Chief Minister approved the appointment of a consultant for TechnoEconomic Feasibility Study and DPR preparation for PhasendashI on 30th September 2025The tender was floated on 10th October 2025 with the prebid meeting held on 17th October and bids scheduled for opening on 17th November 2025Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said ldquoMumbairsquos transformation into a global economic powerhouse depends on its ability to move people and goods efficiently The proposed tunnel network is a major leap toward achieving seamless multilevel connectivity across the city integrating roads metro coastal corridors and now an underground tunnel grid This project will decongest arterial routes and make commuting across Mumbai faster safer and smootherrdquoDeputy Chief Minister ChairmanMMRDA Eknath Shinde stated With this tunnel network Mumbai will gain a new dimension of mobility the third mode of travel beneath the surface It reflects the cityrsquos evolution from linear transport planning to a multilayered futureready infrastructure system The integration with the Coastal Road Metro corridors and the Bullet Train will make lsquoMumbai in Minutesrsquo a realityrdquoSanjay Mukherjee IAS Metropolitan Commissioner MMRDA said The tunnel network will redefine how Mumbai moves It will reduce traffic load on existing surface roads improve eastndashwest and northndashsouth connectivity and unlock new urban capacity for public spaces At present only the Detailed Project Report DPR will be prepared to study the technical feasibility environmental impact and economic viability of the project Once the DPR is finalised and approved the project will be implemented in a phased manner in line with traffic requirements and the cityrsquos future growth in mobility demand This network will be a crucial step towards realising the lsquoMumbai in Minutesrsquo vision where integrated surface metro coastal and tunnel corridors together enable seamless fast and sustainable connectivity across the entire metropolitan regionThe consultancy for preparing the TechnoEconomic Feasibility Study ensuring the highest technical standards The consultant will study geological environmental and socioeconomic aspects design tunnel alignments and assist MMRDA in bid process management for executionOnce implemented the Integrated Tunnel Network will act as the cityrsquos subterranean expressway relieving surface congestion reducing emissions and enabling faster travel between key economic hubs from South Mumbai to BKC and onward to the Airport including to decongest WEH and SV RoadTogether with the Coastal Road Metro Rail Network and surface expressways this initiative completes MMRDArsquos trilayered vision for ldquoMumbai in Minutesrdquo mdash a city where every major destination can be reached efficiently sustainably and seamlessly