Navi Mumbai [India], September 19: The Kharghar-Turbhe Link Road (KTLR) has crossed a major construction milestone with the completion of tunnelling work, bringing Navi Mumbai closer to a much faster east-west road connection. The twin tunnels, which cut through the hill between Kharghar and Turbhe, have now been successfully connected, although several other components of the 5.96-km project are still under construction.
The breakthrough was achieved in two stages. The first tunnel was completed on June 29, 2026, while the second tunnel reached its breakthrough on August 31. The tunnelling phase involved excavation through rock using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), with controlled blasting and digging used to create the large underground structures.
The KTLR is being developed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) as a direct alternative to the existing route between Kharghar and Turbhe. At present, motorists travelling between the two areas have to take a longer route along the Sion-Panvel Highway through Nerul and CBD Belapur. The existing journey can take around 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Once the new link becomes operational, officials expect the travel time to come down to around 10 minutes.
The project begins near Juinagar railway station, where it branches off from the Sion-Panvel Highway, and runs towards Gurudwara Chowk/Central Park junction in Kharghar, close to ACTREC. The total corridor is about 5.957 km long and includes twin tunnels measuring around 1.76 km each, along with elevated road and approach sections. The road is being developed as a four-lane carriageway in each direction.
One of the biggest engineering challenges has been creating the tunnels through the Kharghar hills. According to the project details, the tunnels are around 18 metres wide, requiring extensive rock excavation. The NATM technique allows engineers to assess ground conditions continuously during excavation and install appropriate support systems as work progresses.
The tunnel breakthrough does not mean the entire road is ready for motorists yet. Work remains on the elevated viaducts, approach roads and other sections of the corridor. The current project deadline is December 2028, with Rithwik Projects Pvt. Ltd. working as the contractor and CIDCO serving as the executing agency.
The completed tunnels are nevertheless an important step because they represent one of the most technically demanding parts of the project. CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Ashwin Mudgal described the breakthroughs as a major engineering milestone and said the project is moving closer to providing a safer and more seamless connectivity link for Navi Mumbai.
Once fully completed, the Kharghar-Turbhe Link Road is expected to reduce pressure on the heavily used Sion-Panvel Highway by providing motorists with a more direct route. The project is also being developed at a time when Navi Mumbai is witnessing rapid infrastructure expansion, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport and other major transport projects.
The KTLR has a project cost of around ₹2,099 crore. Apart from the twin tunnels, the wider plan includes approximately 3.4 km of elevated viaduct infrastructure and additional road sections connecting the Kharghar side with surrounding areas. The overall objective is to create a more direct connection between the eastern and western parts of Navi Mumbai.
For commuters, the biggest expected benefit will be the reduction in both distance and travel time between Kharghar and Turbhe. For the wider Navi Mumbai region, the road could also provide another important link between residential areas, commercial districts, industrial zones and major transport corridors. However, these benefits will be realised only after the remaining construction is completed and the entire corridor is opened to traffic.
With both tunnels now successfully excavated and connected, attention will shift towards completing the remaining elevated and surface-road sections. The latest milestone means that a key underground component of the long-awaited Kharghar-Turbhe connection is now in place, taking the project another step towards its planned opening in 2028.
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