Decks have been cleared for the commencement of construction work on the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) allotting 343 tenements to resettle project-affected families residing in slum colonies at Magathane.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the ₹18,838-crore Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project. The twin-tube project is expected to revolutionise travelling between Thane and Borivali. On its completion, the 11.84-km long tunnel will cut down driving time between Thane and Borivali to 15 minutes and reduce the distance to 12 km. With no direct route connecting Thane and Borivali, commuters currently have to rely on the Thane-Ghodbunder Road (SH-42).

Rehabilitating the families is crucial as the tunnel boring machines (TBM) will be put into operation from the four-acre plot housing the shanties.

The tunnel is scheduled to be completed by mid-2028. The contract for the project was awarded to Larsen & Toubro and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd in April 2023.

SRA has allotted 290 tenements at Ganesh Nagar in Kandivali West. Another 29 tenements have been allotted at Babhrekar Nagar in Malad West while the remaining 24 tenements are located near Gaondevi in Dahisar West. As the buildings at the locations are under construction, project-affected families will be paid a monthly rent for transit accommodation.

However, the move to relocate slum dwellers outside of Borivali East has sparked resistance. Project-affected families led by local MLA Prakash Surve met MMRDA officials and pressed for rehabilitation at the same site.

We have demanded that all 650 families should be rehabilitated at the same location, Surve said. If that is not possible, then the government should acquire the neighbouring MHADA plot and construct buildings for accommodating the remaining affected families, he added.