Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road Tunnel Excavation Begins

Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project has reached a significant milestone with the commissioning of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 'Tulsi', marking the start of excavation for one of the two 5.30-km-long, three-lane tunnels beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

The twin tunnels, being constructed under Phase 3(B), will connect Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West, creating a crucial east-west corridor. The project utilizes advanced tunnelling technology to minimize impact on the park's environment and biodiversity.

The 6.62-km package includes 17 cross passages, twin-box tunnels, and approach roads, along with state-of-the-art safety and operational systems. These systems include Earth Pressure Balance (EPB), TBMs for excavation, and the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for constructing cross passages. The project will also feature mechanical ventilation, mist-based firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance, SCADA control systems, LED lighting, and modern road signage.

In addition to the tunnels, utility ducts have been provided beneath the roadway within the twin tunnels. Each tunnel will accommodate a 1,800-mm-diameter water pipeline, strengthening the city's utility infrastructure while optimizing the use of the tunnel corridor.

Tipsya India Private Limited has been appointed as the Project Management Consultant (PMC), IIT Bombay as the Proof Checking Consultant, and VJTI Mumbai as the Third-Party Quality Auditor. According to a senior civic official, the assembly of TBM-1 (Tulsi) and its Site Acceptance Test have been successfully completed, and TBM-2 is currently being assembled and is scheduled to begin excavation in October 2026.

The project is targeted for completion by February 2029. Once operational, the GMLR is expected to transform east-west connectivity, ease congestion on Mumbai's arterial roads, and provide a faster link from the western suburbs to Mulund, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. Travel time is expected to drop from around 90 minutes to just 20 minutes, delivering significant savings in both time and fuel.

The GMLR project is a significant infrastructure development for Mumbai, aiming to improve the city's connectivity and reduce traffic congestion. The project's completion is expected to have a positive impact on the city's residents, commuters, and the environment.

In the context of Mumbai's infrastructure development, the GMLR project is a crucial step towards improving the city's connectivity and reducing traffic congestion. The project's use of advanced tunnelling technology and state-of-the-art safety systems demonstrates the city's commitment to innovative and sustainable infrastructure development.

The project's expected completion by February 2029 will mark a significant milestone in Mumbai's infrastructure development. The GMLR project is expected to have a lasting impact on the city's connectivity, traffic congestion, and environment, making it an essential development for the city's residents and commuters.

In conclusion, the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project is a significant infrastructure development for Mumbai, aiming to improve the city's connectivity and reduce traffic congestion. The project's use of advanced tunnelling technology and state-of-the-art safety systems demonstrates the city's commitment to innovative and sustainable infrastructure development, and its expected completion by February 2029 will mark a significant milestone in Mumbai's infrastructure development.