Cracks, leaks in Mumbai coastal road tunnels ahead of monsoon

Cracks and leaks were found in the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnels just two months after its inauguration, before the monsoon season.

On Monday evening, media outlets reported water dripping from the tunnel roofs. Dark spots indicated paint chipping due to dampness. Drip lines led to pooled water on the coastal road, near the Marine Drive-end exit, located approximately 100 meters away.

Chief Engineer Girish Nikam confirmed ongoing leaks since Sunday morning. He attributed the dampness to seepage through construction joints, although the exact cause remained unclear. Efforts to address the leaks with grouting were underway, with Nikam expressing the need for further inspection to determine the underlying reasons.

Chief Minister Shinde proposed using polymer grouting on all 25 joints of the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel. Project Head and Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Amit Saini, with L&T experts, inspected the leaks. Shinde assured a permanent solution with expert consultation to prevent future occurrences, emphasizing no impact on traffic.

An official involved in the tunnel’s construction stated that grouting was initially used to waterproof the structure. However, further grouting may be necessary following an examination. This follows an incident on April 10, when seawater entered the Haji Ali Coastal Road pedestrian underpass during high tide, prompting measures to prevent water accumulation.

The first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road, inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on March 11, 2024, aimed to ease traffic congestion for Mumbai residents. Constructed within the sea, the project was executed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), reducing travel time from Worli to Marine Drive from 40 minutes to 9 to 10 minutes.

Concerns have been raised about the project’s durability, especially with the discovery of leaks in the tunnels weeks before the monsoon season. Former Cabinet Minister and Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray criticized the Shinde government and BMC for their handling of the situation on the microblogging website ‘X.’