BMC begins 5.3 km tunnel boring under Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday started excavation of the first of two 5.3-km tunnels under Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Tulsi, was commissioned to begin work on the twin three-lane tunnels connecting Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City) in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West.

The 12.2-km GMLR is being executed in four phases. The tunnel component, part of Phase 3B, uses Earth Pressure Balance TBM technology to minimise impact on SGNP's environment and biodiversity. BMC said the project has received environmental clearances from the Union environment ministry for Phases 1 and 2 and tree-felling permission from the Supreme Court.

Around 906 project-affected persons are being rehabilitated in Kanjurmarg. The tunnels will feature mechanical ventilation, mist-based firefighting, CCTV, SCADA controls and LED lighting. The contractor will operate and maintain the project for 10 years after completion. BMC said 21% physical progress has been achieved, and the entire project is targeted for completion by February 2029.