The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appointed Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai, to undertake an independent technical audit of the proposed second-level cable-stayed flyover on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH).
The Rs 6.09-crore Third Party Quality Assurance (TPQA) assignment is part of Phase 4 of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. The new elevated structure is planned above the existing highway and will provide an important connection between Nahur and Airoli Toll Naka.
The civic body said the independent assessment is intended to strengthen quality checks, construction monitoring and the long-term durability of the infrastructure.
Two Major Components Under Phase 4
Phase 4 has been divided into two principal components. Part A involves a second-level cable-stayed flyover measuring around 1,330 metres. The structure will feature a 180-metre span and a five-lane configuration, while an approximately 24.4-metre-wide viaduct will provide three lanes.
The plan also includes temporary ground-level traffic diversions, including left-turn ramps at all four corners, aimed at easing congestion during construction. Around 1,600 metres of existing roads between Nahur and Airoli Toll Naka will also be improved.
Under Part B, elevated interchanges are proposed at the junction of the Eastern Express Highway and GMLR at Mulund. The interchange system, including ramps, will cover roughly 2,400 metres.
In addition, about 3,600 metres of permanent at-grade bypass roads are planned to maintain smoother movement and improve connectivity around the junction.
VJTI to Provide Independent Oversight
The BMC administration highlighted the need for an external technical agency to conduct detailed inspections of the project.
“To ensure that the work outlined in the current project is completed to the highest quality standards and results in durable infrastructure, it is essential to conduct more effective and comprehensive technical inspections through an independent third-party agency. For an unbiased, impartial, and efficient assessment, the Third Party Quality Assurance (TPQA) will be carried out by VJTI,” said the proposal submitted by the BMC administration to the standing committee.
The civic body will pay Rs 6.09 crore as the service fee for the technical audit.
GMLR Targeted for February 2029
The overall 12.20-km GMLR project has been divided into four phases and is targeted for completion by February 2029.
A major component is the proposed twin-tunnel section measuring around 4.70 km, which will pass beneath the hilly terrain of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The tunnels are planned with a diameter of approximately 14.20 metres, tapering to 13 metres.
Once the project is completed, GMLR is expected to strengthen east-west connectivity between Mumbai’s western suburbs and areas including Mulund, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
The planned corridor is also expected to reduce travel times on the route, with the project envisaging a reduction from roughly 90 minutes to around 20 minutes, potentially lowering fuel consumption and easing pressure on existing arterial roads.
The appointment of VJTI is therefore intended to provide an additional layer of independent scrutiny as one of Mumbai’s major east-west transport projects advances towards its 2029 completion target.
Source: The Free Press Journal
