During a preliminary coordination meeting between the MMRDA and Thane Municipal Corporation last week, the agency put forward these requirements, which could potentially strain the city's existing resources. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently flagged off the work on this approximately 13km-long road project, which is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from the current average of 100 minutes to just 12 minutes.

An official mentioned that the MMRDA has sought several requirements to commence the work, including a significant amount of water, pathways for its transportation, spots for dumping the excavated soil, and the relocation of certain utility lines, such as pipelines, to ensure the timely transfer of land for the project.

Experts have expressed concerns that the city, already experiencing a severe water shortage, may face further strain on its water supply if additional water is provided daily. They also highlighted the lack of available open space to accommodate the large volume of soil generated from the tunnel work each day without causing environmental harm. Moreover, they warned that the already congested Thane roads could become even more crowded with the added presence of trucks and tankers.

Saurabh Rao, the municipal commissioner, confirmed the demands needed to expedite the project but assured that viable solutions would be found. He explained that the daily requirement of 0.7 million litres of water could be met by recycling sewage water from treatment plants. Rao also mentioned that they would analyse the feasibility of laying pipelines or deploying tankers to transport the water to the construction sites. Additionally, a convenient schedule would be arranged to ensure that the movement of trucks and tankers transporting water and soil does not disrupt city traffic during peak hours.