The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Phase 3(B) project has reached a significant milestone with the launch of excavation work for the first of two underground tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
The twin tunnels are being constructed between Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) named ‘Tulsi’. Each tunnel will be approximately 5.30 km long and three lanes wide, forming a crucial part of the east-west connectivity project.
The first TBM was commissioned on August 17, 2026, marking the beginning of the main tunnel excavation process. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar inspected the project site on Wednesday to assess the progress of the work.
During the inspection, Bangar reviewed the tunnelling operations, technical processes, construction progress and overall project execution. He instructed officials to maintain strict safety standards, ensure efficient use of machinery and complete the work within the scheduled timeline.
According to the civic administration, around 9 metres of excavation work has been completed so far. Bangar directed the project team to maintain the required pace and increase manpower wherever necessary to speed up the tunnelling activity.
He also highlighted the importance of following safety protocols due to the highly technical nature of the underground construction. Officials were instructed to ensure worker safety remains the highest priority throughout the project.
Meanwhile, assembly work on the second tunnel boring machine is underway, with around 70% of the process completed. The project team has been asked to finish the remaining assembly by September 30, 2026.
After installation of the second TBM, a Site Acceptance Test (SAT) will begin from October 1, 2026, to evaluate the machine’s performance, safety systems and operational readiness before excavation begins.
The GMLR Phase 3(B) tunnel project is considered a major engineering challenge as the alignment passes beneath the ecologically sensitive SGNP area. Authorities have emphasised careful planning, coordination and adherence to safety measures to ensure smooth execution.
Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Mule, along with consultants and project representatives, was present during the inspection.
Sources: Mid-day
