PM to lay foundation stone of key projects including Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel

PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stones of several projects totaling Rs 29400 crore during his first visit to Mumbai on Saturday as prime minister following his election for a third termAmong these projects is the twin tunnel between Thane and Borivali which is likely to revolutionize transportation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMRThe project is expected to be completed by May 2028 and a construction period is 5 years ie 60 months an official statement saidAfter completion of the project a total number of 100000 PCUs Passengers Car units are likely to use the underground tunnel and a large population residing at western suburb in Mumbai and Thane will be benefitedHere are the key highlights of the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel Project which would be Indiarsquos longest and largest urban tunnelThe administrative cost of the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel Project is said to be Rs 1660040 croreAccording to the officials there will be a construction of new 2lane 1 emergency lane 21 in both tunnels It would be around 118 km long twin tunnel that starts at Thane and ends on NH8 at Borivalibull The length of bored tunnels will be 1025 kmbull Tunnels will be interconnected by cross passages at a distance of 300 metersbull Vertical Clearance in the tunnel will be 550 m and diameter of 1305 m externalbull A minimum distance between Two twin tunnels will be greater than 1305m 1D apart in base Each tunnel will consist of unidirectional two lanes an emergency lanebull Indiarsquos longest TBM Tunnel Boring Machine would be used for Tunnelbull Fire extinguisherswater hoses smoke detectors shall be provided at intervals inside the tunnels as per NFPA502 and BD 7899bull A project safety plan PSP is to be formulated during construction and after construction considering the relevant acts and provisionbull Adequate ventilation system shall be created by natural or mechanical means to ventilate the tunnel as per provisions of NFPA502 and BD 7899bull Well illuminated retro reflectiveled light sign boards shall be installed at entrance and insideThe officials added that the journey from Thane to Borivali will reduce by 12 Km and the travel time would be saved by more than one hourbull Direct connectivity will be established which will decongest the traffic on Ghodbundar Road and Western Express Highway and contribute as growth driver for the regionbull Link will help to reduce air and noise pollutionbull EastWest suburban connectivity without stoppage and signalThere will be total reduction in Carbon emission of 150000 MT per year after commissioning of the project an official statement said