Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, India’s longest sea bridge, today. However, the PM is scheduled to launch or lay the foundation of several other projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, The Indian Express reported. These projects are worth over 12,700 crore.
Take a look at the projects
Orange Gate to Marine Drive tunnel project Bhoomi Pujan
PM Modi will be laying the foundation stone of the underground road tunnel that will link the Eastern Freeway from Orange Gate to Marine Drive. Being constructed with an estimated budget exceeding Rs 8,700 crore, the tunnel will be 9.2 kilometres long. Not only will this project contribute significantly to Mumbai’s infrastructure development, but it will also lead to a substantial reduction in travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.
The Indian Express noted that the tunnel is the city’s first underground road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive in South Mumbai, with the primary objective of alleviating traffic congestion. Additionally, it will establish seamless, signal-free connectivity between the east and west coasts, linking Eastern Freeway, MTHL, Coastal Road, and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The project aims to reduce the congestion in the areas of South Mumbai, particularly around Orange Gate—a current challenge for Mumbai Port Trust—and the Main Post Office Square on PD’ Mello Marg, anticipating increased traffic with the impending Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) connecting to JNPT.
Distinguishing itself from the two existing road tunnels in the city, the Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel is designed to traverse beneath city roads with heavy traffic, railway tracks, Metro lines, and utilities. This sets it apart from the section of the Eastern Freeway, which passes through a mountain, and the forthcoming Coastal Road. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is overseeing the project, with L&T serving as the contractor.
Surya regional drinking water scheme
The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the initial phase of the Surya regional drinking water project. Initiated by the MMRDA in November 2023, following directives from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the project commenced with an initial supply of 85 million liters per day (mld). This project has been developed at a total expenditure exceeding Rs 1,975 crore and will supply drinking water to Palghar and Thane districts, benefitting nearly 14 lakh people.
Commencing in 2017, the Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme will deliver 403 mld of water daily, featuring two pumping stations situated at Kawadas and Surya Nagar.
Under the scheme, raw water will be lifted from the Kawdas pick-up located downstream of Surya dam and will be treated/purified in the water treatment plant at Suryanagar.
Following purification, the treated water will be transported through a gravity-fed underground pipeline spanning 80.71 kilometers. The water will be directed to the master balancing reservoir located at Kashid Kopar Hill for the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation and to the master balancing reservoir situated on the hill of Chene village along Ghodbunder road for the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation.
Uran Kharkopar Suburban Railway Line
At last, he will inaugurate railway projects with an estimated value of nearly Rs 2,000 crore. These initiatives encompass the ‘second phase of Uran-Kharkopar railway line,’ which will significantly enhance local connectivity with Navi Mumbai. The suburban train services linking Nerul/Belapur to Kharkopar will be extended to Uran, and the Prime Minister will ceremoniously kick off the EMU train service from Uran Railway Station to Kharkopar.
In addition to these developments, other railway projects slated for dedication to the nation include the new suburban station, ‘Digha Gaon,’ situated on the Thane-Vashi/Panvel Trans Harbor Line. Furthermore, the inauguration will include the new sixth rail line connecting Khar Road and Goregaon railway station. These projects are poised to streamline the daily rail commute for thousands of passengers in Mumbai.