Tunnel between Borivli and Thane gets boost from Centre

Travelling between Thane and Borivli in just 10 minutes is now a step closer to being a reality

Travelling between Thane and Borivli in just 10 minutes is now a step closer to being a reality. A plan to construct a tunnel between these two places has got full support from Central government agencies, Union transport ministry and the environment department.

Public Works Minister (Undertaking) Eknath Shinde has proposed the plan, which was placed before Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday. Shinde said the tunnel would run under the hills and forest areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).

“We are still in the initial process of planning alignment and surveys. Final plans, including the cost estimates, will be out very soon and submitted for approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forests,” Shinde told mid-day on Friday, adding that a consultant has been appointed to carry out the project study. Shinde had announced the scheme on Monday while inaugurating the last leg of the Kapurbawdi flyover in Thane.

“Seamless traffic in the tunnel will reduce travel time from 30 minutes to one hour (depending on the traffic conditions on the existing road) to only 8-10 minutes,” he said, adding that Gadkari was all praise for the project and assured him of technical and financial support and assistance in getting green approvals. An elevated road has also been planned to ease traffic on Ghodbunder road at a cost of Rs 518 crore, the minister said.

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