Mumbai’s newly opened Coastal Road Tunnel faces leaks & damp dilemma

Two months after the opening of a section of Mumbai's Coastal Road Tunnel, a new issue has unfolded. As on Monday evening, water could be seen dripping from the roof of the tunnel, especially near the Princess Street Flyover, despite earlier testing efforts. This time, leaks have marked their presence on walls, ceilings, and even the slab above. The water flow and dampness has further caused dark spots where the tunnel's paint has peeled off. Moreover, water had pooled on the Coastal Road towards the Marine Drive-end of the tunnel, around 100 metres from its exit.

With the spotlight now on BMC, a senior official from the Coastal Road project was noted saying, “These are not cracks but expansion joints located every 20-30 meters, allowing for contraction and expansion. The leakage is occurring through these joints. We will employ injection waterproofing and grouting to seal the leaks immediately.”

Even with the challenges bubbling up within the Coastal Road tunnel, commuters can breathe easy knowing that it remains a safe passage for travel.