Mumbai, Oct. 28 -- The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project in Mumbai has completed 183 metres of excavation for its first tunnel beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, according to an official statement. The work was carried out by the first tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Tulsi, as part of the twin-tunnel section planned under the national park.
The tunnel section will connect Dadasaheb Phalke Film City in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West. The connection is being developed as a key part of the GMLR project, which will link the eastern and western suburbs through an underground route beneath the protected area.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also completed the site acceptance test (SAT) for the second TBM, Vihar. Completion of the test clears the way for the machine to begin excavation of the second tunnel, the statement said.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide reviewed the tunnel construction during a visit to the site on Monday. During the inspection, she directed officials to maintain the pace of construction while giving priority to safety and quality, according to the statement.
The progress marks two developments in the underground section of the project: the first machine has advanced 183 metres, while the second machine has completed the required acceptance testing before starting excavation. The twin tunnels are being constructed below Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are intended to provide the underground link between Goregaon East and Mulund West.
The civic authority's review focused on continuing construction at the required speed without compromising safety or the quality of the work. Further excavation of the second tunnel is expected to follow the completion of the SAT for Vihar, while Tulsi continues work on the first tunnel.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.