The Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Road (KTLR), a vital project undertaken by CIDCO to directly connect the emerging International Corporate Park (ICP) in Kharghar, has received approval from CIDCO's Board of Directors for an expenditure of Rs. 3,166 crore. CIDCO aims to complete this ambitious project within the next four years. Once finished, the Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Road promises to bring significant relief to commuters travelling between Vashi and Kharghar, reducing travel times by at least 15 minutes and alleviating traffic congestion.

The Sion-Panvel route has witnessed a substantial increase in vehicular traffic, serving as a crucial transit route to Thane, Panvel, Kalyan, Dombivli, Kalamboli, JNPT, Pune, Konkan, Karnataka, and Goa. Although the highway is designed for vehicles to reach speeds of up to 70 km per hour, congestion has forced vehicles to move at a much slower pace, averaging 40 to 50 km per hour. This has led to traffic bottlenecks at various points along the route. MLA Ganesh Naik had previously urged the speedy commencement of the planned subway from Turbhe to Kharghar to address this issue.

The Urban Development Department appointed CIDCO as the nodal agency for the Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Road (KTLR) construction project on January 24, 2023. CIDCO's Board of Directors has recently granted revised administrative approval for this project, acknowledging the persistent traffic congestion between Vashi and Kharghar on the Sion-Panvel highway. Additionally, they have approved the construction contract to be awarded to the joint venture tenderer of M. Ritvik-Evrascon (JV).

The KTLR will be constructed as a tunnel and via-duct, linking Turbhe to Parsik Hill on the Sion-Panvel highway, providing direct access to the ICP in Kharghar. This road will span a total length of 5.49 km and feature four lanes in both directions. It will be entirely elevated, with the via-duct extending 3.4 km and Parsik Hill situated 1.8 km from Pokhrun. A long tunnel will be a key component of this route, ensuring a seamless exit at Kharghar, thereby alleviating traffic congestion at Turbhe and facilitating smoother traffic flow along the Sion-Panvel route.

Anil Diggikar, Managing Director of CIDCO, has confirmed that the Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Road (KTLR) project will require an estimated expenditure of Rs. 3,166.78 crore, including contingency expenses. This substantial infrastructure endeavour is expected to be completed over the next four years, offering much-needed relief to commuters plagued by traffic jams between Vashi and Kharghar.