Thane to Borivali Tunnel Project Faces Challenges

The Thane to Borivali tunnel project, a key initiative of the state government, is encountering significant administrative hurdles. The construction work is set to increase the strain on Thane’s infrastructure, already burdened by issues like inadequate water supply, waste management, and severe traffic congestion.

The project, which aims to reduce the travel time between Thane and Borivali to just 12 minutes, will require daily supplies of 300,000 to 400,000 liters of water and the removal of about 300 truckloads of soil. This extensive work, including digging under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao recently held a meeting with officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to address the project’s challenges. The meeting included Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, Assistant Director of Town Planning Sangram Kande, Deputy Commissioner (Parks) Manohar Bodke, and Suburban Engineer Vikas Dhole.

MMRDA officials have requested dedicated routes for transporting earth and ensuring the availability of water. They also asked for a separate traffic route to prevent congestion due to construction vehicles. Commissioner Rao assured that necessary permissions, including land acquisition and tree authorization, will be processed promptly.

To manage water supply, Rao suggested using treated water from Thane’s sewage treatment plants (STP) and coordinating with the construction department. Additionally, a site in Bhivandi has been identified for dumping the excavated earth, with further exploration of alternative locations underway. MMRDA’s request for water supply and traffic management will be addressed in coordination with municipal authorities to ensure smooth project execution.