Centre approves SGNP land for GMLR, project deadline is 2028 | Mumbai News
Mumbai: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted final approval for the “diversion” (as BMC terms it in a press release) of 19.43 hectares of forest land in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to the BMC for the construction of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) underground tunnel. Work on the 4.7-km-long and 45.7-metre-wide twin tunnels, part of Phase 3 of the GMLR project, is expected to accelerate now. The tunnels will pass beneath SGNP in Borivli, connecting the eastern and western suburbs, easing traffic.Civic officials confirmed that shaft excavation for launching the tunnel boring machine (TBM) is underway at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon. “Some TBM components have already arrived at the port. It will take about six months to assemble and launch the machine, which will operate at depths ranging from 20 to 150 metres,” an official said.The twin tunnels will be connected at intervals of 300 metres. They will feature modern features including advanced lighting, ventilation, fire safety systems, CCTV surveillance, and control rooms at both ends. Provisions for stormwater drainage and potential water pipelines have also been incorporated.According to BMC estimates, the project is slated for completion by Nov 2028. Once operational, it will reduce the travel time between the city’s eastern and western suburbs from 75 minutes to just 25 minutes. Compared to the existing Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), the new link will shorten the travel distance by around km. Additional commissioner (projects) Abhijit Bangar highlighted the project’s role in decongesting northern Mumbai.Because the tunnel route passes beneath SGNP, prior approval from the central government was required. After an in-depth review, the green ministry granted in-principle clearance in Jan 2024. Final approval was issued on Tuesday, allowing the formal transfer of forest land. The BMC has since begun implementing the stipulated conditions and compliance measures.Although the land has been transferred under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, its legal status remains classified as forest land. Importantly, the tunnel will begin and end outside the boundaries of SGNP, ensuring no direct impact on the park’s surface or trees. All environmental safeguards recommended by the state govt will be enforced, said an official.To offset the diversion of forest land, an afforestation plan is underway. BMC will plant trees on 19.5 hectares of non-forest land in Chandrapur district — 14.95 hectares in Vasanvihira village and 4.55 hectares in Gondmohadi village.
