BMC Receives Bids for Goregaon Mulund Link Road Project
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally received bids from three companies for the construction of twin tunnels as part of its ambitious Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. This comes after the tender was floated multiple times, with several extensions granted due to requests from bidders. The bidders for the project include Afcons Infrastructure, Larsen & Toubro, and NCC Limited.
According to a BMC official, the delay in finding suitable bidders is due to the nature of the design and build contract. Finalizing the bidders is expected to take over a month, and the construction of the twin tunnels is estimated to take around four years due to the complexity of the works involved. The BMC had initially aimed to begin work on the project in March 2023, but the extensions granted to the tender caused delays.
The construction of the twin tunnels, each with a proposed length of 4.70km, is estimated to cost Rs 6,322 crore. The total cost of the GMLR project is approximately Rs 8,000 crore. However, the tunnel on the Nahur side of the project is expected to affect around 711 structures, including 51 commercial structures that belong to the state government. Additionally, the forest department has requested the BMC to accommodate around 100 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the national park area, as per the conditions set for wildlife NOC.
The BMC is likely to utilize Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology for the tunneling works of the GMLR project. This technology is already being deployed for other ongoing underground projects in the city, such as the Metro-3 corridor and the Mumbai Coastal Road project.
As we await the finalization of the bidders, it is evident that the GMLR project holds significant importance for Mumbai’s infrastructure development. The construction of the twin tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the implementation of TBM technology will bring about a transformative change in the city’s transportation landscape. However, it is crucial for the BMC to address the concerns raised by the affected structures and ensure adequate measures are taken to mitigate any potential impact on the environment.
The GMLR project has the potential to unlock various economic and social opportunities for Mumbai, improving connectivity and easing traffic congestion. It is essential for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful completion of this project within the designated timeframe. With the selection of experienced bidders and the utilization of advanced technology, the GMLR project has the potential to become a transformative infrastructure development for the city.
