Mumbai’s long-awaited Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project has moved into its final and most complex stage, as the civic administration floated a ₹1,293 crore tender for a major flyover and cloverleaf interchange aimed at transforming east–west connectivity across the city. The development marks a critical milestone for one of Mumbai’s most ambitious road infrastructure projects, designed to ease chronic congestion between the western suburbs, the eastern corridor, and neighbouring urban regions.
Civic officials confirmed that the final phase centres on a 1.33-kilometre elevated flyover linking the Nahur road overbridge with Airoli, alongside the city’s first cloverleaf-style interchange system. The tender was issued shortly after the project’s design was finalised, signalling readiness to move from planning to execution even as the municipal election code of conduct came into force. The proposed structure will be constructed above the existing Airoli flyover, creating a multi-tier traffic system at one of the region’s most congested junctions near the Eastern Express Highway. This node currently handles heavy commuter and freight traffic moving between Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. Officials said the new configuration is expected to significantly reduce bottlenecks and waiting times by enabling uninterrupted vehicle movement.
Once completed, the flyover and its looped interchanges will allow signal-free travel in four directions — towards Nahur, Airoli, Thane, and South Mumbai. A key feature of the project is a cable-stayed bridge that will sit above the current flyover, allowing construction to progress while keeping existing traffic lanes operational. “The design prioritises continuity of movement during both construction and operation,” a senior civic engineer said. The execution plan has been divided into two phases. The first involves constructing the elevated corridor connecting Nahur Road Over Bridge, which is already under development as part of the broader GMLR network, to Airoli. The second phase focuses on building a full cloverleaf interchange with grade-level bypasses to prevent traffic criss-crossing.
The interchange will include four looping arms of varying lengths, enabling seamless directional movement between Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. Urban transport experts note that such designs, while common internationally, are relatively new to dense Indian cities and require precise execution. “If implemented well, this could redefine how Mumbai manages high-volume junctions,” said a transport planner. Beyond congestion relief, the project is expected to improve fuel efficiency and reduce idling emissions by cutting down stop-start traffic — an important consideration as Mumbai looks to align infrastructure expansion with climate and sustainability goals. As the final phase of the GMLR takes shape, the project is seen as a test case for delivering large-scale urban mobility upgrades while balancing capacity, safety, and long-term environmental resilience.
Goregaon–Mulund Link Road Enters Final Phase With Rs 1293 Crore BMC Tender
