Mumbai: The BMC plans to appoint Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) to conduct a thorough technical audit for the construction of the twin tunnel and box tunnel under the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.
This third party audit will assess the design, construction, and safety standards of the tunnels, ensuring that the project meets the highest technical and environmental benchmarks.
The 4.7-km-long underground twin tunnels, set to be constructed in the third phase of the ambitious GMLR project, will pass beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). This vital infrastructure initiative is designed to ease traffic congestion across the city’s existing east-west corridors.
The twin tunnels will each extend 4.7 km, while the box tunnel will span 1.6 km. These tunnels are designed with a diameter approximately 13 meters and will be dug to depths ranging from 20 to 160 meters.
“The construction of the twin tunnels faced challenges when two tribal hamlets, Habale Pada and Nagar Mudi Pada, located within Film City, raised objections,” said a senior civic official.
“So we decided to realign the tunnels by 600 meters to bypass the tribal farmlands. Additionally, a survey was conducted recently to assess the number of trees that will be affected, as many are situated along the original alignment of the tunnels. We have also consulted VJTI for a third-party technical audit to ensure the project meets the highest safety and environmental standards,” he added.
The realignment of the twin tunnels in the GMLR project, necessary to bypass tribal farmlands in Film City, will increase the original project cost by Rs 250 crore, bringing the total to Rs 6,551 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the project on July 13, with excavation set to begin using a TBM.
Civic officials assure that construction will not harm the environment of the SGNP, including its flora, wildlife, Aarey, and Tulsi lakes. The, GMLR project, expected to cost Rs 14,000 crore, will be completed by 2028, cutting travel time between Mulund and Goregaon from 75 to 25 minutes and easing congestion on key city routes.
The 12.2 km road will seamlessly connect the Western Express Highway at Goregaon the Western Express Highway at Goregaon to the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund, improving connectivity.
The GMLR project is expected to play a crucial role in reducing traffic bottlenecks on key routes like the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, offering a smoother, faster commute for residents and commuters.
