Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar during the launch of ‘Tunnel Boring Machine – Nayak’ for ‘Thane-Borivali Underground Tunnel Project’ in Thane on April 7, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Metro Line 9 and Metro Line 2B (Phase 1) on Tuesday (April 7, 2026), while flagging the controversial Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project and laying the foundation for an under-taxi system – in a bid to expand connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
“For the North-South link we have the Coastal Road and for the East-West link a network of tunnels which includes the Orange Gate Tunnel to decongest the Eastern Expressway, Bandra-Sea Link to BKC Tunnel, a tunnel to reach the airport with the prospect of coastal road integration, and the Mulund-Goregaon Tunnel and the Coastal Tunnel network will go to the Coastal Tunnel. Mumbai,” Mr. Fadnavis said while inaugurating the twin tunnel project at Thane’s Manpada.
MMRDA’s 11.84 km twin tunnel project is a six-lane road connecting Borivali in Mumbai and Ghodbunder Road in Thane to be constructed under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The project has been controversial due to environmental concerns, as environmentalists believe the underground construction is likely to affect the site. It can also cause noise and water pollution. However, the MMRDA clarified that all major statutory approvals including SBWL, NBWL, forest clearance (Stage I and II), FRA approval and eco-sensitive zone clearance have been secured.
Published – 07 Apr 2026 23:35 IST
