Mumbai has officially transferred 19.43 hectares of forest land from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the construction of twin underground tunnels under the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. The decision follows final approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The GMLR corridor, spanning 12.2 km, is a strategic transit initiative aimed at reducing vehicular congestion in North Mumbai by directly connecting the Eastern and Western suburbs. The twin tunnels, each 4.7 km long and 45.7 metres wide, will form the most significant component of the third phase of the corridor. These tunnels will run deep beneath the ecologically sensitive SGNP, with depths varying between 20 and 160 metres—well below the forest surface. Municipal officials involved in the project confirmed that the design includes advanced systems to ensure commuter safety and environmental protection. The twin tunnels will be equipped with modern lighting, air ventilation and purification systems, firefighting infrastructure, closed-circuit surveillance, and emergency response control rooms. Cross-passages for evacuation and safety will be constructed every 300 metres, while a dedicated utility corridor for stormwater management and potential water supply pipelines will be integrated into the design.
According to the state government, despite the handover of forest land to the municipal corporation, the legal status of the parcel remains designated as forest land. Officials maintain that the tunnel alignment ensures there will be no disturbance to the natural surface, tree cover, or biodiversity of the park. “The tunnels will be constructed using tunnel boring machines and other non-invasive techniques, guaranteeing that surface-level ecology is not compromised,” said a senior urban development official. In a bid to comply with conservation norms, the Maharashtra government has committed to a compensatory afforestation plan. As part of this plan, a total of 19.5 hectares of non-forest land—14.95 hectares in Vasanvihira and 4.55 hectares in Gondmohadi, both in Chandrapur district—will be reforested and maintained to balance the diversion of land under the SGNP.
The environmental clearance has come at a time when concerns around green cover depletion in Mumbai are intensifying. The Aarey forest controversy, which triggered citywide protests over proposed tree felling for metro infrastructure, is still fresh in public memory. Environmental groups have already begun raising red flags about the GMLR project, citing the SGNP’s ecological significance and its role as a biodiversity hotspot in one of the world’s most densely populated urban agglomerations. Urban planners, however, argue that the GMLR tunnel is a vital addition to Mumbai’s transport infrastructure. Currently, east-west road connectivity in the city heavily relies on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road (SCLR), both of which are operating beyond capacity during peak hours. Officials claim that once operational, the GMLR tunnel will cut the average travel time between Mulund and Goregaon from 75 minutes to just 25 minutes, substantially reducing traffic stress on existing arterial roads.
Furthermore, the project is projected to deliver sustainability dividends. By cutting down travel time and distance, the BMC estimates a daily fuel saving of approximately ₹1 crore and a reduction in carbon emissions by nearly 22,400 tonnes annually. These figures are being used to position the GMLR as a climate-forward project that balances infrastructure growth with environmental consciousness. A senior engineer associated with the BMC explained that tunnelling was selected specifically to ensure minimal disturbance to SGNP’s surface ecology. “Unlike surface roads, tunnels offer a means to bypass green areas without altering their structure. The tunnel will not require felling of trees or displacement of animal habitats on the ground,” the official said. The depth of the tunnel, officials say, provides a buffer zone that insulates both the construction activity and the forest above.
Nevertheless, activists remain sceptical of the assurances. They argue that despite the use of underground construction, there is always a risk of disrupting underground water channels, soil stability, and long-term ecological balance. “Such projects set a precedent. Once green spaces are opened for public infrastructure—even below the surface—they could become vulnerable to future encroachments,” an environmentalist based in Mumbai said. The project, estimated to cost over ₹6,000 crore, is also being watched closely from a financial accountability perspective. Tunnelling projects of this magnitude require high-end technology and involve significant engineering challenges. The BMC has stated that international consultants have been engaged to oversee the process, and quality audits will be conducted at every phase to ensure structural integrity and minimal environmental disruption.
With the land transfer complete and clearance in place, the BMC is now preparing to fast-track the tunnelling phase. However, whether the GMLR project can deliver on its promises of seamless connectivity and sustainability without fuelling ecological concerns remains to be seen. As Mumbai continues to expand and modernise, the debate between urban growth and environmental protection is far from settled. The GMLR tunnel could either become a benchmark in environmentally sensitive infrastructure execution or reignite tensions over the future of the city’s green lungs.
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