Mumbai: Lowering of the massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs) into the launching shaft of the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project will begin in March, marking a crucial step in one of Mumbai’s most ambitious road infrastructure projects that proposes to connect the eastern and western suburbs. Even as tunnelling preparations gather pace, above ground, a 1.3km flyover — from near Dindoshi court in Goregaon East up to Ratnagiri Hotel Junction flyovers — is expected to be completed and opened to traffic by May 31, offering early relief to motorists even before the entire project is finished, said civic officials.Flyovers are being constructed on both sides of the proposed tunnels, aimed at managing the heavy traffic expected once the east–west link becomes operational. The GMLR, being executed by BMC, is designed to directly connect Western Express Highway at Goregaon with Eastern Express Highway at Mulund. The project also will include a 4.7km twin tunnel passing beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, along with a 1.6km box tunnel through the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari area. To prepare for tunnelling, a massive launching shaft has been excavated in Goregaon. Measuring around 200m in length, 50m in width, and 30m in depth, the shaft is now ready to receive the TBMs. Excavation work has been completed, and the installation of cradles needed to lower and launch the machines is currently underway. Two heavy-duty cranes — with capacities of 800 metric tonnes and 350 metric tonnes — are required for the operation, with one already on site and the other expected to arrive later this month.In Mulund, another component of the project is taking shape in the form of a 1.9km flyover between Tansa water pipeline and Nahur railway bridge. This stretch includes a 120m-long cable-stayed bridge at Dr Hedgewar Chowk, being built at the first level below the proposed Metro Line 4. Officials acknowledge that traffic diversions in this area have led to congestion, particularly due to movement through a narrow underpass.Additional municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar visited the work site on Wednesday. Priority is being given to completing a smaller flyover on the northern side of Tansa pipeline before the monsoon. Once opened, it is expected to significantly ease traffic snarls in Mulund West.
