BMC May Scrap Grant Road Flyover for Sustainable Tunnel Option
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

BMC May Scrap Grant Road Flyover for Sustainable Tunnel Option

In a shift towards sustainable urban infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering cancelling the proposed elevated flyover connecting Grant Road to Orange Gate. Estimated at Rs 13.29 billion, the flyover was intended to ease traffic in one of Mumbai’s most congested corridors.

However, the project now faces redundancy due to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) ambitious underground tunnel, which would cover much of the same alignment. The 4.46-kilometre-long tunnel—planned to run from Marine Drive to Orange Gate—will lie around 40 metres below ground and include two car lanes and an emergency lane, offering seamless traffic flow without disrupting surface-level activity.

Officials argue that, unlike the flyover, the tunnel avoids complex land acquisition in densely populated areas, offering a more sustainable, less disruptive alternative. The original flyover plan—designed as a cable-stayed bridge with a dispersal arm—would have spanned 5.6 kilometres, cutting travel time from 45 minutes to just five to seven minutes.

Though tenders for the flyover were awarded in March 2024 and soil testing commenced in November, the tunnel’s potential to deliver similar benefits without environmental and social costs has gained favour.

Experts and municipal officials, including stakeholders from the MMRDA and traffic police, are currently in discussions to finalise the decision. Environmentalists have welcomed the likely cancellation, noting its alignment with goals for zero net carbon emissions and gender-inclusive urban planning.

Should the flyover be scrapped, Mumbai may well set a precedent in India for favouring subterranean infrastructure that prioritises ecological balance, community welfare, and smart urban mobility.

In a shift towards sustainable urban infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering cancelling the proposed elevated flyover connecting Grant Road to Orange Gate. Estimated at Rs 13.29 billion, the flyover was intended to ease traffic in one of Mumbai’s most congested corridors. However, the project now faces redundancy due to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) ambitious underground tunnel, which would cover much of the same alignment. The 4.46-kilometre-long tunnel—planned to run from Marine Drive to Orange Gate—will lie around 40 metres below ground and include two car lanes and an emergency lane, offering seamless traffic flow without disrupting surface-level activity. Officials argue that, unlike the flyover, the tunnel avoids complex land acquisition in densely populated areas, offering a more sustainable, less disruptive alternative. The original flyover plan—designed as a cable-stayed bridge with a dispersal arm—would have spanned 5.6 kilometres, cutting travel time from 45 minutes to just five to seven minutes. Though tenders for the flyover were awarded in March 2024 and soil testing commenced in November, the tunnel’s potential to deliver similar benefits without environmental and social costs has gained favour. Experts and municipal officials, including stakeholders from the MMRDA and traffic police, are currently in discussions to finalise the decision. Environmentalists have welcomed the likely cancellation, noting its alignment with goals for zero net carbon emissions and gender-inclusive urban planning. Should the flyover be scrapped, Mumbai may well set a precedent in India for favouring subterranean infrastructure that prioritises ecological balance, community welfare, and smart urban mobility.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Honeywell Unveils AI Tools to Enhance Green Hydrogen Efficiency

"Honeywell has introduced Honeywell Protonium, a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), aimed at improving the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of green hydrogen production. The technology is designed to address key industry challenges such as power intermittency, high production costs, and carbon intensity, thereby facilitating the wider adoption of clean hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.The first deployment of Honeywell Protonium will take place at Aternium, a US-based large-scale clean hydrogen pro..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NHAI Plans Link Road for Expressway Access

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is evaluating the construction of an 18 km road to connect the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, within Karnataka, to the Bengaluru-Kolar Highway (NH 75). This strategic link is aimed at improving connectivity for motorists travelling towards the Andhra Pradesh border, including destinations like Chittoor and Tirupati. Currently, a 68 km section of the expressway — from Hoskote to Bethamangala near Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) — is operational. However, due to the absence of seamless end-to-end connectivity, users are forced to navigate through narr..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Bengaluru to Get 40-Km Signal-Free Transit Corridor

In a major push to modernize Bengaluru’s transport infrastructure, the Karnataka Government has approved the construction of a 32.15 km double-decker flyover with a metro line along the city’s Outer Ring Road. This transformative initiative aims to ease the daily commute for thousands and provide lasting relief from the city's chronic traffic congestion. In tandem, an additional 8 km elevated stretch will be constructed on Magadi Road as part of Namma Metro’s Phase III expansion. Together, these projects will add over 40 km of new, signal-free metro routes—making daily travel faster, ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?