Background

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• The Eastern Freeway terminates at Orange Gate of MbPT at P’DeMello road. The traffic merges with existing traffic on P’DeMello road. This creates traffic congestion and queuing on up as well as down ramps during peak hours. Government Post Office junction is affected and signal time for the commuters increased substantially. This project will serve as a crucial link connecting the heavily congested urban area of Mumbai, facilitating an east-west coastal connection through the Eastern Expressway to the Marine Drive, and providing a fast and efficient traffic system
• The project alignment crosses Harbour Line alignment (Central Railway) near Old Elphinstone Bridge, Western Railway near Charni Road Station, proposed Metro Line 11 & Metro Line 3 near Lamington Road Junction and ends near Bal Bhavan on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road at Marine Drive.
• The Project will help in reduction of travel time and lead to fuel savings. About 14650 vehicles are estimated to travel daily on Orange Gate tunnel project in horizon year 2029.
• The project consists of underground tunnels to be constructed by using 2 numbers of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM). Project also consist of cut & cover and open ramp on both sides and elevated down ramp from Eastern Free Way.
• The inner diameter of each tunnel is 11 meters and outer diameter is 12.30 meters.
• Each tunnel shall have 2 lanes of 3.2 m width, 1 emergency lane & raised foot path    (0.6 m) with design speed of 80 km/hr.
• Total project length considering both tunnels is 4.9 Kms (including Cut and Cover and Ramps) which includes 3.71 Kms of LHS tunnel and 3.73 Kms of RHS tunnel. Total Tunnel length using tunnel boring machine is 7.44 Kms.
• The maximum depth of the crown of the tunnel is about 52 m from the ground maintaining safe clearance with the MML3, Central Rail, Western Rail, high-rise building foundations and other existing buildings and structures.
• Tunnels will have inner reinforced concrete precast linings segments for structural stability, durability as well as construction of cross passages etc.
• Minimum vertical clearance of 5.50 m is being provided over the full width of carriageway and Emergency Lane.
• Additional vertical clearance is being provided for accommodating tunnel lighting fixtures and other accessories.
• The carriageways inside the tunnels will be of cement concrete.
• To ensure proper ventilation within the tunnels, necessary mechanization is proposed. Fire-resistant systems, adequate lighting, and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for efficient traffic management are among the various planned features.
• The expected construction period is 54 months.
• The project is funded by loan from Union Bank of India.