Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the third phase of the Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) in Mumbai, a key project aimed at connecting the Western Express Highway (WEH) and Eastern Express Highway (EEH). Spanning 12.20 kilometres, this phase will reduce travel time from 90 minutes to 25 minutes and is set to be completed by November 2028 at an estimated cost of INR 14,000 crore. The project includes major tunnels under Sanjay Gandhi National Park, designed to cut carbon emissions by 22,400 tons annually. The GMLR will alleviate traffic congestion and boost Mumbai's infrastructure.
The Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project in Mumbai has received renewed attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for its third phase. The GMLR, spanning 12.20 kilometres, is a major infrastructure endeavour designed to connect the Western Express Highway (WEH) at Goregaon with the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) at Mulund. This phase of the project is set to significantly alleviate traffic congestion and cut travel time from 90 minutes to just 25 minutes.
Initially started in 2016-17 with the appointment of a consultant to prepare a detailed project report, the GMLR has faced several delays. Key milestones, such as the strata verification study for tunnelling under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), took almost two years to complete. The project also experienced setbacks due to the pandemic in 2020 and subsequent delays in obtaining necessary clearances. The tendering process resumed after receiving forest clearance in December 2022. The GMLR is anticipated to be completed by November 2028, with an estimated cost of INR 14,000 crore.
The GMLR project includes two major tunnels under SGNP, a protected area, which will be constructed using tunnel boring machines. These tunnels, with a diameter of approximately 14.2 metres, are designed to minimise environmental impact and will feature advanced systems for lighting, ventilation, fire protection, and CCTV surveillance. The tunnels are expected to reduce carbon emissions by around 22,400 tons annually.
In addition to the tunnels, the project involves building a dedicated cattle path and implementing comprehensive environmental and disaster management plans. The BMC has also proposed evaluating the impact on around 1,000 trees, which may need to be cut or transplanted.
To support residents and businesses affected by the construction, the BMC is building seven residential towers and a market building. Meanwhile, preliminary work on design, soil investigation, and temporary road diversions is ongoing.
The GMLR is expected to be a critical addition to Mumbai's infrastructure, providing a vital east-west connection that currently lacks, and easing traffic congestion in the city's suburbs.
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