The 11.84-km Thane–Borivali twin-tunnel project, being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two locations. However, the tunnel remains under construction and is not yet open to motorists.
According to MMRDA’s detailed project report, the planned alignment will connect the Mulla Baug junction area on Ghodbunder Road in Thane with the Magathane junction area near the Western Express Highway in Borivali. The route will pass beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, providing a direct link between the eastern and western suburbs.
The project comprises 10.25 km of underground tunnels and a 1.59-km connecting section. It will feature two traffic lanes and an emergency lane in each tunnel tube, with cross-passages connecting the twin tunnels at intervals of 300 metres. The estimated project cost stands at Rs 18,838 crore, including interest during construction.
MMRDA reported physical progress of 13.73% up to August 2026, while financial progress stood at 13.13% through July 2026. Excavation activity is underway from the Thane end. The authority records the launch of tunnel boring machine (TBM) Nayak on April 7, 2026, followed by TBM Arjuna on August 13, 2026. On the Borivali side, TBM-03 cleared its factory acceptance test in May 2026, although its launch has not been confirmed in the cited update.
Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd was appointed as the contractor in May 2023, with construction commencing on May 19 that year. MMRDA has specified a 60-month completion period but has not announced a confirmed opening date.
Once operational, the tunnel is projected to reduce the Thane–Borivali journey from the current 1–1.5 hours via Ghodbunder Road to approximately 15 minutes. This estimate applies only to the stretch between Thane and Borivali, not the entire journey from Navi Mumbai.
The project is expected to improve east-west connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and ease dependence on existing road routes.
Source: NaviMumbai.com
