Mavala Moves: First 250m Drilled for Mumbai’s Orange Gate Tunnel

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has completed the first 250 metres of underground excavation for the Orange Gate road tunnel project.

The tunnel, which will connect the Eastern Freeway with Marine Drive, forms a key part of the proposed “Patal Lok” underground road network aimed at easing congestion on Mumbai’s surface roads.

Excavation is being carried out using “Mavala,” India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine, with a diameter of 12.19 metres. The machine operates at depths of up to 50 metres to avoid interference with existing metro infrastructure and nearby high-rise buildings. More than 575 permanent segmental rings have already been installed to support the tunnel structure.

The 4.8-km twin-tunnel corridor is being designed for vehicle speeds of up to 80 kmph and is expected to reduce peak-hour travel time between the two points from around 40 minutes to approximately five minutes.

Devendra Fadnavis said the project represents a major step toward expanding underground mobility infrastructure in Mumbai. The broader “Patal Lok” network is planned to cover nearly 70 km in three phases, with an estimated investment of ₹1.05 lakh crore.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.