Excavation for Mumbai’s Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) has reached 183 metres beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, with the second tunnel boring machine (TBM), named ‘Vihar’, scheduled to begin operations by the end of October 2026.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is executing the underground construction under Phase 3(B) of the infrastructure project. The plan includes two tunnels, each featuring three lanes and measuring approximately 5.30 km. They will connect Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon (East) with Amar Nagar in Mulund (West).
The first TBM, ‘Tulsi’, began operating on August 17, 2026. Since then, it has excavated 183 metres, recording an average daily advance of 5.5 metres. Construction teams have installed 87 segmental lining rings, along with six temporary lining rings, to provide structural support during the tunnelling process.
Meanwhile, the second machine, ‘Vihar’, has successfully completed its Site Acceptance Test, with the necessary technical checks meeting prescribed standards. Its commissioning and the commencement of excavation are expected before the end of October.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide visited the construction site on Monday to assess excavation progress, equipment performance, construction standards and safety measures. Given the complexities of tunnelling beneath the protected national park, she emphasised the need for stringent precautions to safeguard workers and engineering personnel.
Officials were directed to ensure that appropriate protective equipment was available and that potential hazards were identified and addressed throughout the construction process. The inspection also examined the management and disposal of excavated material, along with cleanliness at the worksite and nearby areas.
The GMLR is a major road infrastructure initiative intended to improve east–west connectivity between Mumbai’s western and eastern suburbs. The twin tunnels beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park are a crucial component of the project, designed to provide an alternative route across the city and improve travel connectivity between Goregaon and Mulund.
The deployment of the second TBM is expected to support further progress on the underground section as construction continues.
Source: Swarajya
