Mumbai’s ₹14,000 crore Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project has entered a key execution phase at the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari stretch under Phase 3B, with the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) in final stages of assembly, while the second has entered the component-lowering stage, according to a statement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday, 22 April.
The BMC stated that assembly of the first TBM, designated S-119, is underway with work on its final structural configuration in progress inside the shaft. At the same time, components of the second TBM, S-118, have begun to be lowered into the launching shaft.
Both TBMs, S-118 and S-119, have a diameter of 14.49 metres and weigh 2,175 metric tonnes each, and are described by the civic body as the largest TBMs used in Mumbai so far.
A specialised team from Thailand has reached the project site to assist in the precise assembly of the TBMs. The BMC stated that the team is guiding the final structural assembly of TBM S-119.
The civic body has planned to commence actual tunnelling work by 1 June 2026. In this regard, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed officials to prepare day-wise planning and adhere to defined timelines.
Bangar visited the site on Wednesday to review the progress of work and assess quality. During the inspection, he issued directions to maintain the pace of work, ensure quality checks, and continue parallel progress on the second TBM.
He also directed deployment of additional manpower and execution of work in two shifts to ensure that progress remains in line with planning.
Senior officials present during the inspection included Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Mule, Deputy Chief Engineer Naresh Meghrajani, Executive Engineer Namdev Ravkal, along with other municipal engineers and consultants.
The 12.2 km GMLR corridor, which is being built by the BMC, will include underground tunnels, bridges, and key traffic interchanges to link Goregaon in the west with Mulund in the east.
Once completed, the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the western and eastern suburbs, offering faster and safer connectivity across the city.
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