Tunnel Vision Approved: GMLR Phase III Cleared for Takeoff!

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Project Phase III has received a significant boost with final clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for the transfer of 19.43 hectares of reserved forest land under Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

This approval paves the way for the construction of twin tunnels—each 4.7 km long and 45.70 meters wide—forming a critical component of Mumbai’s east-west connectivity corridor. The BMC has initiated compliance procedures as per the conditions laid out by the Ministry.

The full GMLR project spans 12.20 km across four phases and is expected to reduce commute time between the city’s eastern and western suburbs from 75 minutes to just 25 minutes. The project will significantly cut fuel consumption and is projected to lower annual carbon emissions by approximately 22,400 tonnes.

Phase III specifically includes a 1.22 km triple-lane box tunnel at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari and the SGNP twin tunnels, together covering 6.65 km. These tunnels, to be constructed 20 to 160 meters below ground level, will be equipped with modern infrastructure such as smart lighting, advanced ventilation systems, fire safety mechanisms, CCTV surveillance, and dedicated utility corridors.

Final approval was granted on July 1, 2025, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, enabling BMC to move forward with this transformative urban infrastructure project.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.