The Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) reached another momentous stage on May 30th with the breakthrough of the second and final undersea tunnel near Breach Candy’s Priyadarshini Park (PDP). This breakthrough signifies a critical milestone in the construction of the 10.58-kilometer-long MCRP, a monumental project undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to connect Nariman Point in South Mumbai to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) at Worli through an extensive network of roads and underground tunnels.
A Highlight of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project
The standout feature of this project is the twin tunnels beneath the Arabian Sea, positioned near Girgaon Chowpatty, making it the first-ever undersea tunnel system in India. Spanning a length of 2.07 kilometers, these twin tunnels traverse from Priyadarshi Park to Chhoti Chowpatty at Marine Drive, adjacent to the renowned Chowpatty beach in Girgaum.
Introducing TBM Mavala
The excavation of the twin tunnels was carried out using the impressive Chinese Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named Mavala, paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Mountain warfare experts. Boasting a remarkable diameter of 12.19 meters, TBM Mavala is the largest tunnel boring machine ever deployed in India and was manufactured by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (CRCHI).
TBM Mavala’s Journey
The deployment of the 2,500-tonne TBM Mavala began in December 2020 at the Priyadarshini Park launch ramp under Larsen & Toubro’s supervision for the construction of the coastal road project’s twin tunnels. The BMC initiated the digging of the first tunnel in January 2021 from the Priyadarshini Park (PDP) end, achieving its breakthrough at the Chowpatty end on January 11th, 2022.
A notable milestone was achieved on April 26th, 2022, when the TBM was rotated 180 degrees towards the left, aligning with the north-bound tunnel, utilizing a hydraulic-jack powered turn-table. Finally, on May 31st, the final breakthrough occurred in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
November Unveiling
The completion of the twin tunnels within the Mumbai Coastal Road Project represents a significant achievement. With 75% of the project now finished and the remaining work progressing rapidly, the civic body is determined to open the coastal road for public usage by November 2023.
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project’s second tunnel breakthrough is a testament to the engineering marvels and monumental efforts undertaken to enhance Mumbai’s transportation infrastructure. The upcoming completion of this ambitious project will revolutionize connectivity in the city, offering a seamless coastal road system to improve travel efficiency and reduce congestion. Stay tuned as Mumbai gears up to embrace this transformative addition to its urban landscape.
