BMC Security Plans 13 Cross Tunnels for Coastal Road in Mumbai
BMC’s ambitious Coastal Road Project in Mumbai will have 13 cross tunnels to provide a safe passage for evacuation and rescue in case of an accident or disaster.
The BMC will be constructing 2 underground tunnels of 3.45 km length from Marine Drive to Priyadarshini Park via Malabar Hill. So as a safety measure in case of any disaster or accident, a cross tunnel will be built by every 250m for rescue operations and the length of each tunnel will be from 11 meters to 15 meters.
Both will have firefighting equipment, ventilation, CCTV cameras, and will be earthquake and heat resistant in case of a disaster. The BMC released this information after many questions were raised regarding the safety measures of the twin tunnel.
Tunnel Boring Machines will be used to construct the earthquake-resistant tunnels and will be constructed in such a way that it can even sustain very high temperatures and the twin tunnel will have a lifespan of up to 120 years.
“These will be the first tunnels to be constructed next to the sea in the country. It will be the first time this ventilation system will be used in India. We are taking utmost precaution as per international standards.”
– said Mohan Machiwal, chief engineer, Coastal Road.
While the tunnel running under the Girgaum Chowpatty will be built 20–25 meters deep, the one going under Malabar Hill will be constructed 70–75 meters deep in the sea.
