August 20, 2025: Residents of Marine Drive have expressed concerns over the absence of public consultation for the upcoming Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel project, despite its potential to improve connectivity in South Mumbai. The Marine Drive Citizens’ Association voiced disappointment over not being kept informed about the plans.
Ashok Gupta, vice-president of the association, told The Free Press Journal, “The Coastal Road work has just been completed, and now another massive project is being taken up. While such projects are aimed at improving connectivity, those of us who have lived here for decades deserve to be informed and consulted.” He emphasized that residents are not opposing infrastructure upgrades but seek inclusion in discussions that impact their neighbourhood.
The criticism follows notices sent by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the appointed contractor, to several buildings around Marine Drive last year. These letters requested permission to conduct pre-construction building condition surveys and install monitoring instruments to track vibrations and other potential impacts during tunnelling. Residents of buildings such as Matruchaya on Netaji Subhash Marg received letters requesting that they sign no-objection certificates to permit the surveys.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the project, has highlighted that the Orange Gate Tunnel will be Mumbai’s first urban tunnel, constructed about 40 metres below ground. The 9.5 km stretch will connect the Eastern Freeway at Orange Gate to Marine Drive, linking further with the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, Coastal Road, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Estimated at Rs 7,765 crore, the tunnel aims to reduce congestion around Orange Gate, the Mumbai Port Trust, and P D’Mello Marg.
Despite these benefits, residents remain concerned about transparency. Gupta said, “We are not against development, but people living here for over 50 years must have a say in projects that will directly affect their homes and neighbourhood.” The association continues to call for meaningful dialogue before construction begins.
Source: The Free Press Journal
