The cost of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project is set to rise by ₹247 crore following a decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to realign the 4.7-kilometre twin tunnels by 600 metres.
This adjustment comes amidst objections from residents living in the hamlets of Aarey’s Film City, significantly increasing the initial estimate for the project’s tunnelling phase, which was originally pegged at ₹6,301 crore. A major component of the GMLR project, these twin tunnels will traverse the challenging terrain of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, crossing through hillocks, forests, and farmlands. However, concerns raised by tribal communities in Habale Pada and Nagarmudi Pada, who feared adverse impacts on their livelihoods, prompted the BMC to reconsider the original tunnel alignment.
To mitigate the potential effects on local communities, the BMC has decided to launch the tunnels 600 metres away from the initially planned location at Habale Pada. This decision is not without consequences; the realignment has pushed up the cost of the project by ₹247 crore, necessitating a revision of the original budget of ₹6,301 crore for the tunnelling. The overall cost of the GMLR project, which aims to connect Goregaon in the western suburbs with Mulund in the eastern suburbs over a span of 12.2 kilometres, was originally estimated at ₹8,500 crore.
This significant cost escalation has provoked criticism from opposition parties, who have called on the civic body to exercise fiscal prudence. There are demands for a stringent oversight mechanism to ensure that the additional funds are utilised effectively. One government official suggested that a clause should be added to the contract stipulating that external agencies, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), must verify the quality of work before substantial payments are released to the contractor, Singla Pvt Ltd, which has previously faced scrutiny over its business practices. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is expected to be assembled near the site, with the tunnel construction set to commence in April 2025. The completion of the 4.7-kilometre tunnels is slated for the third phase of the GMLR project, with the BMC targeting an October 2028 deadline.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomipujan for the tunnelling work in July, underscoring the project’s national significance. However, the latest developments indicate a challenging path ahead for the civic body, as it navigates both cost overruns and community concerns.
