A section of Mumbai’s Marine Drive could see additional land reclamation as authorities prepare to widen the roadway near Girgaum Chowpatty to manage traffic expected from the upcoming Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel project.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed reclaiming approximately 2,298 square metres of the Arabian Sea along a 300-metre stretch near Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The reclamation work is estimated to cost around Rs 40 crore.
The proposal is part of the broader 9.96-km Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel project, which will connect the Eastern Freeway with the Mumbai Coastal Road, creating a direct east-west transport corridor across South Mumbai. The six-lane tunnel is planned to surface near Girgaum Chowpatty before merging with the existing Marine Drive road network.
To accommodate the additional traffic generated by the tunnel, MMRDA plans to expand the current eight-lane roadway to 13 lanes at the junction where tunnel traffic will enter Marine Drive. The project will also provide space for an upgraded and wider promenade along the seafront.
Officials have stated that the road expansion is necessary to maintain smooth traffic movement and prevent bottlenecks once the tunnel becomes operational.
“The road widening is being done to ensure that the existing road capacity remains intact and to meet future traffic needs. At least three lanes in each direction between Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty need to be maintained. The proposal will help ensure smooth traffic movement and better integration of the tunnel with the existing road network,” an MMRDA official said.
Under the proposed design, five additional lanes will be created. The seaward side carriageway will have four lanes, while the inner carriageway will comprise three lanes. An additional six lanes will be dedicated to traffic entering and exiting the tunnel. Part of the existing promenade will be utilised for the road widening, while the reclaimed land will be used to develop a broader pedestrian walkway.
The proposal has been submitted to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority for necessary approvals. Environmental and coastal clearances for both the reclamation work and the tunnel project are still awaited.
With an estimated project cost exceeding Rs 8,056 crore, the Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel is expected to significantly improve connectivity between eastern and western parts of South Mumbai. Construction activity, including excavation of the twin tunnels from the Orange Gate side, is currently underway, with the project targeted for completion in 2028.
Source: The Indian Express
