The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun excavation of a 5.3-km twin tunnel beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park as part of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, marking a major step in the construction of the city’s east-west connectivity corridor.
The excavation between Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City) in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West commenced on Monday using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology. The first TBM deployed for the project has been named ‘Tulshi’.
The 12.20-km GMLR is being developed in four phases. Under Phase-3B, two three-lane tunnels will pass beneath the national park. The BMC said measures have been incorporated to minimise the impact of construction on the region’s environment and biodiversity.
The phase includes 17 cross passages, 720 metres of twin box tunnels and 600 metres of approach roads on the Goregaon and Mulund sides, taking the overall length of the phase to 6.62 km. The contractor will also operate and maintain the infrastructure for 10 years after completion.
The project has secured environmental clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while permission for tree cutting has been obtained from the Supreme Court. Around 906 project-affected people are being rehabilitated in six ground-plus-23-storey buildings at Kanjurmarg.
Earth Pressure Balance TBMs will be used for the main excavation, while the New Austrian Tunnelling Method will be adopted for cross passages. The tunnels will feature mechanical ventilation, mist-based firefighting systems, CCTV, SCADA controls, LED lighting and modern signage. Utility ducts and 1,800-mm water pipelines are also planned.
The project has achieved around 21% physical progress. Assembly of the second TBM is underway, with excavation expected to begin in October 2026. The GMLR is targeted for completion by February 2029.
Once operational, the corridor will connect the Western and Eastern Express Highways and is expected to reduce travel time between the eastern and western suburbs from around 90 minutes to 20 minutes, while easing congestion and improving emergency connectivity.
Source: Mid-day
