The 9.7km water tunnel will be placed 80–90 metres below road surface.
To address the problems of water shortage from Kurla to Byculla — including Sion, Wadala, Matunga, Dadar and Parel — Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will construct an underground water tunnel at the cost of Rs767.77 crore from Chembur via Wadala to Parel so that the area gets uninterrupted water supply.
The original cost of the project, which was planned in 2011–2012, was Rs 470.96 crore, but it never took off. Now the cost has escalated up by Rs296.90 crore. Project consultants Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd. has completed the survey and the geological survey is also on the verge of completion. The technical feasibility study about water supply too has been done and its report will be prepared soon. The government has given its nod for the ambitious water-supply project.
The underground water tunnel Amar Mahal (Chembur)–Wadala– Parel will eventually replace the age-old pipelines. Though expensive, underground cement concrete tunnels ensure uninterrupted supply and avoid contamination of water. The present old steel pipelines have been corroded due to wear and tear over the years. These pipelines have been ruptured in the past several times leading to loss of water and eventual water cuts in the city. The new water tunnel is believed to improve the distribution network and help provide uninterrupted water supply.
The 9.7km water tunnel which will pass from the Pratiksha Nagar bus depot will be placed 80–90 metres below road surface and will have a diametre of 2,500 mm (2.5 metres) to supply water throughout the city efficiently.
BEST Undertaking has been asked to provide a plot — a part of which will be permanently taken over by the BMC, while the remaining will be given back after the construction of the tunnel is over.
Major underground tunnels that are being built by BMC are Marol to Mahim, Malabar Hill to Cross Maidan, Veravali to Yari Road, Gundavili to Bhandup Complex, and two smaller tunnels from Powai to Veravali and Powai to Ghatkopar.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mumbai, Chembur, Parel, water tunnel, Brihanmumbai Municipal Coporation (BMC)")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}