Tunnel Vision: BMC Prepares for GMLR's ₹14,000 crore Deep Dive

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to commence excavation of twin tunnels for the ₹14,000 crore Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project in early 2026, according to a senior official cited by The Indian Express.

Construction of the launch shaft, which will facilitate deployment of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), is nearing completion despite challenges posed by the monsoon. In a departure from the Mumbai Coastal Road Project—which used a single TBM—the GMLR will employ two TBMs operating simultaneously. The first TBM, imported from Japan earlier this year, is currently being assembled and is expected to begin operations by January 2025, while the second TBM is scheduled to arrive by December 2025.

The 12.2-km GMLR will serve as a high-speed corridor linking Goregaon and Mulund, with its centerpiece being a 6.65-km twin-tunnel running beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, at depths ranging from 20 to 160 meters. Each tunnel—separated by 300 meters—will feature six vehicular lanes, along with CCTV surveillance, firefighting systems, utility ducts, and rainwater harvesting infrastructure.

The project is expected to significantly decongest east-west traffic in Mumbai and enhance connectivity between the western and eastern suburbs.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.