The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project has reached a key construction milestone with the deployment of tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Tulsi’ for excavation of one of the two three-lane tunnels beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
The tunnelling work forms part of Phase 3(B) of the project and will create a 5.30-km twin-tunnel connection between Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City) in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West. The corridor is expected to establish a direct east-west connection while reducing the impact of construction on the national park’s environment and wildlife.
The contract package spans 6.62 km and includes the twin tunnels, 17 cross passages and approach roads at both ends. Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) technology is being used for tunnel excavation, while the cross passages are being constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
The tunnels will feature mechanical ventilation, mist-based firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance, SCADA-based monitoring and control, LED lighting and modern signage. Utility ducts are also being incorporated beneath the carriageway, with each tunnel designed to accommodate an 1,800-mm-diameter water pipeline.
Tipsya India Private Limited has been appointed as the project management consultant. IIT Bombay is undertaking proof checking, while VJTI Mumbai has been appointed as the third-party quality auditor to monitor construction standards.
“Assembly of TBM-1 (Tulsi) and its Site Acceptance Test have been completed. TBM-2 is currently being assembled and is scheduled to begin excavation in October 2026. The project is targeted for completion by February 2029,” said a senior civic official.
Once operational, the GMLR is expected to improve connectivity between Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs and ease pressure on existing arterial roads. The corridor is also expected to improve access towards Mulund, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
The BMC expects the project to significantly reduce commuting time, with the journey between the western suburbs and the eastern side projected to fall from around 90 minutes to nearly 20 minutes. The shorter travel time could also reduce fuel consumption and improve the movement of emergency and commercial traffic.
Source: Swarajya
