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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has realigned the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project's twin tunnels by 600 metres in response to objections from local residents, particularly tribal communities. This adjustment has increased the project cost by INR 247 crore, bringing the total to INR 6,548 crore. The GMLR, designed to connect Goregaon and Mulund, promises to reduce travel time significantly. However, the project faces scrutiny over rising costs and community impact, with completion expected by October 2028 after tunnel work begins in April 2025.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to realign the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project's twin tunnels by 600 metres, a move driven by the objections of local residents. This adjustment comes as the project faces a significant cost increase of INR 247 crore, raising the overall budget to INR 6,548 crore. The GMLR is an essential infrastructure effort intended to connect Goregaon in the western suburbs with Mulund in the eastern suburbs, significantly reducing travel time. Advertisement
The GMLR's twin tunnels will traverse a delicate landscape that includes sections of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and local farmlands. Residents, particularly the tribal communities in Habale Pada and Nagarmudi Pada, expressed concerns about the project's potential impact on their lives and livelihoods. In response to these objections, the BMC is modifying its initial plans to launch the tunnels farther from the originally proposed site.
BMC officials have indicated that the new alignment will undergo review by experts from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). In doing so, the BMC aims to minimise disruption to the area's residents and the natural landscape.
Despite the claimed benefits of enhanced connectivity, the project's rising costs have prompted criticism, particularly from opposition parties. They have called for cautious spending and transparency in how funds are allocated, especially given the increased cost and the BMC's history of budget overruns on similar projects. Ravi Raja, a former Congress corporator, aired his concerns on social media, suggesting the contract with Singla Pvt Ltd, tasked with constructing the flyovers, should include stricter oversight measures.
Looking ahead, the BMC has plans to begin assembling the tunnel boring machine (TBM), anticipated to start tunnel work by April 2025, with an overall project timeline set for completion by October 2028. This ambitious infrastructure project, consisting not only of the tunnels but also various flyovers and connecting roads, aims to cover a total distance of approximately 12.2 km.
Overall, while the GMLR project promises to improve transport links across Mumbai, local opposition raises critical questions about community safeguards and fiscal responsibility. As the BMC navigates these challenges, the focus will remain on balancing development with the needs of local residents. The municipal body aims to ensure that the tunnels enhance urban mobility without compromising the livelihoods of those living in the area.
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