The 2.639-kilometer Wavarle Tunnel (Tunnel-2) is being constructed on the Panvel-Karjat route as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase 3 and will be the longest tunnel in Mumbai's suburban railway network.

The tunnel is a crucial part of the 29.6-kilometer double-line project, which would improve connection close to the future Navi Mumbai International Airport, reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai-Raigad, and ease Central Railway congestion.

For 16 months, workers put in an estimated 24 lakh man-hours of nonstop labour to pierce the Sahyadri hill and build the longest tunnel in the Mumbai suburban railway.

At a look, a tunnel

2.639 km in length

7.323 meters in height

13.282 meters in width

Organization: MRVC

Project length: double line, 29.6 km

Why it matters Lessens strain on the Central line Enhances accessibility to Raigad and Navi Mumbai Promotes airport and regional development Adds infrastructure that is compatible with high-speed

Highlights of engineering

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) was used for construction.

Beginning on February 22, 2023, excavation

A breakthrough was made in June 2024.

The corridor's tunnels

Three tunnels in total

Total tunnel length: approximately 3.2 km Tunnel-1 (Nadhal): approximately 234 m Tunnel-2 (Wavarle): approximately 2.639 km Tunnel-3 (Kirawali): approximately 333 m

Technology and safety features Public shelters for emergencies Advanced lighting  Firefighting systems Ventilation shafts and airflow systems SCADA-based tunnel monitoring system

The longest suburban tunnel's backstory 24 lakh+ man-hours 16 months of day and night shifts Excavated Sahyadri hill