Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project to start after Mumbai monsoon

 Newsdesk:

After a long wait, the construction work of Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project, which will shorten the distance from Thane to Borivali, has been launched.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 11.8 km long project on Sunday.  Even after the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone, the construction work of the project will not be able to start at present due to monsoon.  The project will be able to start at the site only after the monsoon departs.  The construction work of the project will only get momentum next year.  The twin tunnels are to be constructed with the help of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).  The TBM is expected to reach Thane next year.  After the arrival of the TBM, the excavation of the tunnel will start about 25 to 30 meters below the ground surface.  Giant TBM is being prepared for the first time in the country to prepare the tunnel.  A Chennai-based company has been awarded the task of preparing the TBM for the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project.  So far, all the TBM machines used in the country were imported from abroad.  The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has entrusted Megha Engineering with the task of preparing the twin tunnels last year.  However, the project could not start even after the tender was allotted due to lack of necessary approvals.