Excavation for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project in Mumbai has progressed by 183 metres in the first tunnel beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, marking a key milestone in the construction of the underground corridor, according to an official statement.
The work has been undertaken by the first tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Tulsi, as part of the twin-tunnel section planned beneath the protected green zone. The tunnels will connect Dadasaheb Phalke Film City in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West, providing a direct link between Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is executing the project, has also completed the site acceptance test (SAT) for the second tunnel boring machine, Vihar. According to the statement, the successful completion of the test paves the way for Vihar to begin excavation for the second tunnel.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide visited the construction site on Monday to review the progress of the underground works. During the inspection, she instructed officials to sustain the pace of construction while ensuring that safety standards and work quality remain priorities.
The latest developments indicate progress on both fronts of the twin-tunnel project. While Tulsi continues excavation and has covered 183 metres, Vihar has completed the testing required before commencing its tunnelling operations.
The GMLR is a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving east-west connectivity across Mumbai. By creating an underground route beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the project seeks to connect Goregaon and Mulund without requiring the main road corridor to pass over the protected area.
With the second TBM now through its acceptance testing, excavation on the parallel tunnel is expected to begin. Construction teams will continue work on both tunnels, with the civic body emphasising timely progress alongside compliance with safety and quality requirements.
Source: Construction World
