The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), a vital infrastructure project intended to facilitate traffic between the city’s eastern and western suburbs, is expected to significantly improve Mumbai’s east-west connectivity. It is anticipated that the 12.2-kilometer motorway, which would connect the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) in Mulund and the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Goregaon, will reduce travel time from 75 to 90 minutes to just 15 to 25 minutes. With an estimated budget of Rs 10,100–14,000 crores, the project is expected to be finished by 2028.
For years, Mumbai’s east-west travel has been a challenge due to the residential nature of the western suburbs and the industrial and business hubs concentrated in the east. Currently, commuters depend on the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR)—both of which suffer from heavy congestion, particularly during peak hours. The GMLR’s twin tunnel system is designed to bypass jams and provide a seamless alternative for daily commuters.
The project will use Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) with diameters ranging from 13 to 14.5 meters to guarantee accuracy and effectiveness. Authorities have made sure that no above-ground ventilation shafts are constructed within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in consideration of environmental concerns. Beyond just improving mobility, the project will also improve Mumbai’s water supply infrastructure by incorporating pipelines into the tunnels.
The development of GMLR is divided into four phases. The initial stages focus on road widening in areas such as Nahur Railway Overbridge, Goregaon East, and Mulund West, while the later phases involve the construction of the main flyover, twin tunnels, additional flyovers, and underpasses to complete the link.
According to experts, Mulund will become a desirable residential area as a result of the project’s substantial impact on real estate. Sugee Group founder and managing partner Nishant Deshmukh predicts that as the region becomes more accessible to professionals working in Goregaon, Malad, and Andheri, there will be an increase in demand for upscale apartments. “With improved connectivity, Mulund will become a preferred choice for homebuyers looking for a smooth commute to western suburbs,” he said.
Similar views are held by Rohan Khatau, Director of CCI buildings, who thinks the GMLR will increase demand for mid-segment and premium residential buildings in the Malad-Borivali corridor in addition to reducing traffic.
This trend is supported by real estate data. A January 2025 Knight Frank India report states that 85% of all property registrations in Mumbai that month were in the Western and Central suburbs. It is anticipated that interest in the area will increase even more with the impending GMLR, increasing demand for new developments.
As Mumbai progresses towards improved connectivity and urban growth, the GMLR is a noteworthy project that will not only change how people commute but also spur development in the city’s residential and commercial areas.
Source: Prop News Time
