{
  "id": 6718534,
  "title": "Changing City: 40 metres below Malad Creek – Mumbai’s Rs 5,821-crore tunnel takes shape",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/changing-city-40-metres-below-malad-creek-mumbais-rs-5-821-crore",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T06:21:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/changing-city-malad-creek-mumbai-rs-5821-crore-tunnel-10873069/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Below Malad Creek and the Malad Creek and Poisar River, Mumbai is set to construct a 3.9-kilometer twin-tunnel corridor connecting Mindspace in Malad West to Charkop in Kandivali. The project, a crucial component of the 22-kilometer Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road, is projected to enter the mining phase early next year and be completed by 2029. The underground tunnel aims to reduce reliance on the Western Express Highway, Link Road, and SV Road in the western suburbs, while allowing the coastal road to traverse an ecologically sensitive area without harming mangroves or cutting trees.\n\nThe total cost of the project is 20,000 crore rupees, with Rs 5,821 crore dedicated to the construction of the twin tunnels. The tunnels are expected to be operational by 2029, with travel time between Versova and Bhayander reduced from over an hour to less than 20 minutes. Each tunnel will be cylindrical in shape, measuring 14.2 meters in diameter, and will feature three lanes for vehicular traffic, along with five cross passages for emergency situations. The tunnels will be equipped with advanced fire and accident prevention systems, as well as ventilation and heat sensors.\n\nThe area through which the tunnel will pass is designated as an Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) due to its mangrove patches and water bodies. The project authorities emphasize that constructing the tunnel under these water bodies is necessary to prevent damage to the mangroves and avoid tree cutting. Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner for projects, stated that the tunnels will be Mumbai's first vehicular tunnels to pass beneath water bodies.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Dubai Healthcare City launches AED3 billion Dubai Creek Gardens residential development",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/dubai-healthcare-city-launches-aed3-billion-dubai-creek-gardens",
        "published": "2026-09-11T07:41:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}