BMC to Begin Goregaon–Mulund Link Road Twin Tunnels Next Month
Mumbai is poised for a significant infrastructure leap as work on the twin tunnels of the ambitious Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project is set to commence next month. The arrival of massive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) components from Japan signals a pivotal phase for this Rs 6,500-crore undertaking, promising to drastically cut travel times and enhance seamless east-west connectivity. This engineering marvel, designed to navigate beneath an ecologically sensitive national park, underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable development and improved urban mobility for its residents.
Under Phase 3(B) of the expansive GMLR project, a crucial 6.65-kilometre corridor will be developed. This segment includes a 1.22-kilometre triple-lane box tunnel at Film City and the twin tunnels that will burrow deep beneath the verdant expanse of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The subterranean route will originate at Film City in Goregaon East and emerge at Amar Junction in Mulund, an area currently characterised by dense urban settlements. Of the total length, approximately 5.30 kilometres will be meticulously excavated using the advanced TBM technology, with the remaining 1.35 kilometres comprising essential approach roads and the box tunnel.
The twin tunnels represent a formidable engineering challenge, designed to traverse depths ranging from 20 to an impressive 160 metres below ground. To ensure safety and operational efficiency, cross-passages will be integrated at regular intervals of every 300 metres. These tunnels are specifically engineered to navigate the ecologically sensitive and topographically complex terrain of the SGNP, including its challenging hillocks, dense forest areas, and existing farmlands. Both TBMs, crucial to this intricate excavation, will commence their operations from a single launching shaft located at Film City, a testament to precise planning and execution.
The logistical undertaking for this project is substantial. Fifty-four containers carrying components of the first TBM have already reached Mumbai, with the remaining 23 expected to arrive by mid-August. These highly specialised pieces of equipment, shipped from Japan, are being systematically unloaded at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and transported to the project site via heavy-duty trailers. A four-month assembly period on-site will precede the commencement of the actual tunnelling work, with the second TBM anticipated to arrive in Mumbai by the end of December, ensuring continuous progress.
A critical milestone for the project was the recent receipt of environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This approval, permitting the diversion of 19.43 hectares of forest land, highlights the delicate balance between urban development and ecological preservation. The subterranean nature of the tunnels is a deliberate strategy to minimise surface impact on the national park, ensuring that this vital green lung of the city remains largely undisturbed, aligning with the city’s eco-friendly and sustainable urban agenda.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set an ambitious target of completing the twin tunnels by October 2028. Once fully operational, the entire 12.2-kilometre GMLR will provide seamless connectivity between the Western Express Highway at Goregaon and the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund, slashing travel time from a current 75 minutes to a mere 25 minutes. This Rs 14,000-crore multi-phase project is poised to significantly decongest Mumbai’s arterial roads, reduce vehicular emissions, and enhance the quality of life for millions of commuters, fostering a more connected, efficient, and environmentally conscious metropolitan region.
