The project’s bids were made accessible on July 20 of this year. L&T as well as JKumar, two contractors, had expressed curiosity regarding the project. L&T was the least costly bidder, with a proposal of Rs 7,765 crore, whereas JKumar proposed Rs 8,589 crore.

The planned 3.8 km-long twin tunnel road is going to link Orange Gate, the Eastern Motorway, and Marine Drive on Mumbai’s coastline road. Each tunnel will feature two lanes plus one emergency lane.

According to an official, the bidder with the lowest price will be handed a letter of intent, after which the builder can start work.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has granted approval for Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the construction company for the city’s largest underground tunnel, which would connect Orange Gate and Marine Drive.

This tunnel will connect the Orange Gate at the Eastern Motorway to Marine Drive, improving connectivity and lowering the duration of travel.

The Eastern Motorway, which connects Mankhurd to Chembur Junction with Orange Gate on D’mello Road, has greatly enhanced access to South Mumbai. The increasing traffic at Orange Gate, on the other hand, has created a problem for the Mumbai Port Trust and the Main Post Office square on P’Dimello Marg.

The MMRDA intends to build a 9.23-kilometre corridor from the Eastern Motorway’s Orange Gate to the coastline route at Marine Drive to tackle these difficulties and establish an efficient road-based transit network.