India, Dec. 10 -- Within a week of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launching the tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Orange Gate-Marine Drive twin-tunnel project, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is preparing to alter the alignment of the tunnels after residents of Marine Drive objected to the Rs.8,056-crore project.

According to the existing plan, the twin tunnels will be constructed between Orange Gate, in the Mumbai Port Authority's jurisdiction, and D Road at Churchgate, next to Wankhede Stadium. However, the Marine Drive Citizens Association has demanded a realignment to preserve their heritage precinct and to prevent inconveniences such as vehicular congestion and air pollution during the construction p...