Pune: The excavation of approximately 11 km of tunnels on both sides of Tiger Valley, reaching a depth of 200 meters in the Lonavala Hills, provided a remarkable opportunity to explore India’s geological history. It was an immersive journey through time as the tunnels were constructed, offering insights into the millennia-old geological formations. Noel P Mundo, the team leader from Geodata and one of the project’s foreign consultants hailing from the Philippines, described the experience as “time travel.”
Initial surveys had indicated that the tunnel stretches would consist primarily of hard rock. However, unexpected discoveries were made, including patches of loose red soil interspersed within the compact basalt formation that dominates the Western Ghats mountain range. Additionally, a 200-ton mass of loose rock was encountered. Mundo explained that these findings can be attributed to the intermixing of lava and soil masses caused by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. With decades of experience in the field, Mundo brought valuable expertise to the project.
Tunnelling beneath the Western Ghats was a journey spanning millions of years of geological history. The Western Ghats are the result of faulting and erosion of the Deccan Plateau, which occurred approximately 150 million years ago during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. Geophysical evidence suggests that India’s west coast emerged around 80-100 million years ago after separating from Madagascar.
This geological transformation predates the subsequent northward movement of the Indian subcontinental plate, which collided with the Eurasian plate due to continental drift. This collision led to the formation of the Himalayas, a much younger mountain range compared to the Western Ghats.
The tunnelling process allowed experts to witness and analyze the layers of rock and soil that have shaped the Western Ghats over millions of years. It provided valuable insights into the geological evolution of the region, shedding light on the complex processes and forces that have shaped the landscape.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ project not only serves as a significant infrastructure development but also unravels the geological mysteries concealed beneath the surface. The findings and experiences during the tunnelling process contribute to our understanding of the geological heritage of the Western Ghats and provide valuable scientific data for further research and exploration.
As the project nears completion, it stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the ability to uncover the secrets of the past while shaping the future. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, with its extensive tunnels, will not only enhance connectivity between the two cities but also leave a lasting geological legacy, reminding us of the rich history that lies beneath our feet.
