Launch of the Orange Gate Tunnel Project; Major Relief for Mumbai’s Traffic – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Inauguration of TBM work of the Orange Gate to Marine Drive Urban Tunnel Project by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister

Mumbai, Dec 2025 : Due to the Eastern Freeway, citizens can reach South Mumbai from the eastern suburbs in 20–25 minutes; however, for the onward journey, they had to remain stuck in traffic jams for half an hour to forty-five minutes. Similarly, citizens from the western suburbs and South Mumbai had to take a long route to reach the Navi Mumbai airport. As a solution to this problem, the concept of the Orange Gate Tunnel was created. This project will provide major relief to Mumbai’s traffic, informed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

To reduce traffic congestion in the city and make travel to the Navi Mumbai International Airport smoother, the ambitious Orange Gate to Marine Drive Urban Tunnel Project was inaugurated at the hands of Chief Minister Fadnavis. On this occasion, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was unveiled. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Speaker Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Minister of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA Amin Patel, and MMRDA Commissioner Rubal Agrawal were present.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that earlier, a flyover was considered at this location; however, due to lack of space and heavy traffic, it was not possible. As this area is more congested than the Mohammed Ali Road flyover area, a tunnel is the only practical and safe option. This tunnel will pass beneath nearly 700 properties, century-old heritage buildings, and both Western and Central Railway lines. Importantly, it will be excavated 50 meters below Metro-3. Therefore, in one sense, this project will be an “engineering marvel,” the Chief Minister noted.

The project is targeted to be completed by December 2028, with efforts to complete it six months earlier. The work has been entrusted to the reputed company L&T. Once the Worli–Sewri Sea Link opens next year, and when it connects with the Coastal Road, people from the western suburbs will have two options to reach the Navi Mumbai airport. This project will save thousands of hours for thousands of commuters and marks a historic day for Mumbai’s traffic system, said the Chief Minister.

Orange Gate–Marine Drive Tunnel Project Will Ease Traffic – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Large volumes of traffic coming via Atal Setu from Thane and Navi Mumbai get stuck near the exit of the Freeway, and the recently inaugurated Atal Setu traffic also merges here. This new tunnel will significantly reduce this congestion. Likewise, motorists going toward Marine Drive, Churchgate, and the Coastal Road will get major relief, said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

This tunnel will connect East and West Mumbai and save the travel time of lakhs of citizens, he said. Just as projects like Metro-3, Metro-2A, and Metro-7 provided relief to the city, this underground tunnel will also transform the traffic system. As it passes beneath Metro-3, it represents the best example of advanced technology, Shinde said.

This project will save fuel, reduce pollution, and save a significant amount of time for office commuters. People from Mumbai’s western suburbs and those traveling to the Navi Mumbai airport will benefit greatly. This is a major experiment in Mumbai’s underground transport infrastructure, and with flyovers, the Coastal Road tunnel, and now this underground tunnel, traffic congestion will be significantly reduced. This is truly a game-changer project, he added.

Project Information

To meet the increasing traffic demand in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and improve traffic conditions, MMRDA has undertaken the construction of an underground road from Orange Gate to Marine Drive in Mumbai city.

Project Cost: ₹8,056 crore
Completion Period: 54 months

Key Benefits of the Project

• East–West suburbs of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai will be connected through this underground route.
• Travel time will reduce by 15–20 minutes.
• Saves fuel.
• Helps reduce noise and air pollution.

Project Details

• This is India’s first urban tunnel project passing beneath densely populated areas, as well as Central Railway, Western Railway, and 50 meters below Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line).
• Total project length: 9.96 km, including approx. 7 km of underground tunnel.
• Each tunnel will have two 3.2-meter-wide lanes and one emergency lane.
• Speed limit inside the tunnel: 80 km/h.
• Both tunnels will be connected by cross-passages every 300 meters for safety.
• Mechanical ventilation systems, fire-resistant mechanisms, adequate lighting, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for modern traffic management are planned.
• Underground alignment reduces land acquisition, preserves urban environment, and ensures minimal disturbance.
• The project connects with major infrastructure such as the Mumbai Coastal Road and Atal Setu.

Technology Used for the Tunnel

• A slurry-shield type Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will be used—suitable for mixed and rocky coastal geological conditions of Mumbai.
• This technology was also used efficiently in the Mumbai Coastal Road project.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

• Refurbishing and rebuilding of the TBM is being done locally under the supervision of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
• Cutter head diameter: 12.19 meters
• Length: 82 meters
• Weight: approx. 2,400 metric tons