The development body has asked consultants to help in the construction of a 1.5-km long tunnel under Parsik Hills for Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA's) Airoli-Katai Naka (Dombivali) Highway project that needs clearance from the ministry of environment and forest.

It has floated a bid to appoint a consultant for the environment clearance for work related to the tunnel. A pre-bid meeting on the subject will be held on Monday. The project is worth Rs 200 crore and comprises a six-lane road (three in either direction). It has been on the drawing boards since 2011.

This 12-km new highway is being planned to reduce travel time from Airoli-Ghansoli. As per the calculations done it will save 7-km of motoring distance. At the moment, those residing in Airoli-Ghansoli have to take a detour either from Mahape or Kalwa to reach Katai Naka at Dombivali.

Out of this 12-km long new road, 1.5-km will be a tunnel below Parsik Hill, which has been declared as a reserved forest, and this clearance is crucial for the project. If a green nod is not in it would be futile to spend Rs 200 crore on the project.

Once this 12-km long highway is made, the next project would be to extend this road right up to Badlapur.

"A consultant will be appointed for getting forest clearance. The consultant will also prepare Environment Impact Assessment report to check repercussion on the environment due to the project," said an official.