Haji Ali-Nariman Pt tunnel not feasible

In a significant twist to the city’s makeover plan, especially the 19.3-km Western Freeway project from Bandra to south Mumbai, a state-appointed UK consultant has ruled out the possibility of carving out a single tunnel from Haji Ali to Nariman Point (approx 10.9 km). The government had asked the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to conduct a feasibility study of the tunnel, directing the agency to scrap the earlier plan of a sealink between Haji Ali and Nariman Point. It said the sealink would mar the beauty of Haji Ali, Marine Drive as well as the Shivaji statue to be built in the sea off Chowpatty. A preliminary report submitted by consultancy firm Arup CES said a sealink (similar to the one between Bandra and Worli) should be built from Haji Ali to Priyadarshini Park. There were suitable tunnel options only between Priyadarshini Park and Malabar Hill and from there to Nariman Point, the report added. MSRDC MD Satish Gavai and chief engineer for sealink projects S Sabnis admitted that the report had been filed but refused to divulge the details. At present, the MSRDC is just a couple of months from commissioning the Bandra-Worli sealink (4.6 km) and has also started the tendering process for the next section from Worli to Haji Ali. Sources in the MSRDC said the report, soon to be debated by state authorities in the presence of chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, suggested that a deep tunnel can be dug from the park till the Malabar Hill’s Chowpatty side, while another tunnel—a shallow one—can be built from from Malabar Hill to Nariman Point along Marine Drive. “Whether the tunnel between Malabar Hill and Nariman Point should run under the sea or should it be a cut-and-cover structure along Marine Drive will be decided at the meeting,’’ an MSRDC source said. “This exercise is to ensure that neither the sealink nor the tunnel encroaches upon any public place as well as the beauty of Haji Ali, Priyadarshini Park and Marine Drive is maintained.’’ The MMRDA, on behalf of the MSRDC, has already appointed E Sreedharan-led Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to study the feasibility of underground tunnel options for the sealink sections of the Western Freeway between Haji Ali and Nariman Point.