Goregaon-Mulund Link Road TBM Excavates 9 Metres

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project has achieved a significant milestone with the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) 'Tulsi' excavating nine metres for the twin tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The project, announced by the BMC on Wednesday, involves constructing twin three-lane tunnels over a 5.30-kilometre stretch between Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City) in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West.

The excavations are being carried out using the TBM 'Tulsi', which was commissioned on August 17. The Rs 14,000-crore GMLR will provide a direct east-west link between Goregaon and Mulund, connecting the western suburbs with the Eastern Express Highway through a 12.2-km corridor.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar inspected the site on Wednesday, reviewing the tunnelling methodology, current excavation progress, and related technical aspects. He also assessed the safety measures and instructed officials to strictly implement safety rules, giving top priority to the safety of the workers.

The project consists of four phases, with the first phase involving road widening, followed by a second phase comprising flyover construction in the western suburbs along with the TBM-driven tunnels. The third phase includes a road-over-bridge at Nahur, connecting to the final phase, which is an elevated flyover with clover-leaf interchanges up to Airoli.

Meanwhile, 70 per cent of the assembly of the second TBM's components is completed, and officials are directed to finalise the entire assembly by September 30, 2026. Following this, the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) will begin on October 1 to verify the machinery's efficient and safe operation.

The project is expected to be executed by the end of 2028, providing a significant boost to the city's infrastructure and reducing travel time between the western suburbs and the Eastern Express Highway.

The GMLR project is a crucial part of Mumbai's infrastructure development, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the city. The project's progress is being closely monitored, and the BMC is working to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

The excavation of the twin tunnels under SGNP is a complex and challenging task, requiring careful planning and execution. The use of TBM 'Tulsi' has enabled the project to make significant progress, and the completion of the project is expected to have a positive impact on the city's traffic and infrastructure.

In conclusion, the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project is a significant infrastructure development project in Mumbai, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the city. The project's progress is being closely monitored, and the BMC is working to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.