The BMC has embarked on an ambitious project to construct a 21-kilometre water conveyance tunnel connecting Yevai and Kasheli in Thane to Mulund in the eastern suburbs.

This new tunnel will enhance the water supply infrastructure, while the existing pipeline network will serve as a backup.

The project will be executed in two phases, with an estimated budget of approximately Rs4,500 crore. The work order was recently issued and the construction of the tunnel will start within a month, a civic official said.

The project connecting Kasheli to Mulund is set to complement the ongoing expansion of the Mumbai-Nashik highway. In addition to this link, the BMC will also construct a water tunnel from the Yevai Reservoir to Kasheli (Bhiwandi).

In March, the BMC’s water supply project department issued a tender for the construction of a 14-km tunnel from Yevai to Kasheli and a 7-km segment from Kasheli to Mulund.

After nearly seven months, the civic body has appointed a contractor to commence construction. The completion of both tunnels is expected to take six to seven years.