The first phase of the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR), an ambitious project being executed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is expected to become operational by 2026. The 12.2-kilometre high-speed corridor will include underground tunnels, bridges and traffic interchanges, ultimately connecting Goregaon in the western suburbs with Mulund in the eastern suburbs. The overall project has been divided into four phases.

In the first phase, a 1.2-kilometre flyover will begin near the Dindoshi court and descend at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), from where motorists will be able to enter the twin tunnels directly once they are completed. The flyover will feature six vehicular lanes and an elevated rotary, or circular intersection, constructed on a raised platform. Walkways will also be added on both sides along with deck slabs.

The bridge will give motorists direct access between Dindoshi and SGNP, and once the two underground tunnels are ready, vehicles will be able to move straight from the flyover into the tunnel system. Tunnel boring is scheduled to begin in 2026, with civil works expected to take around one year.

The flyover will rest on 31 pillars, of which 27 have already been erected. Work on the remaining four pillars is under way. The west-bound arm is slated for completion by January 2026, while the east-bound arm is targeted for completion by April 2026. Ancillary works will follow, with the BMC aiming to open the flyover by May 2026.

“This flyover will mark the end of the first stage of the project. In the long run, we aim to connect the GMLR with the Versova–Bhayander Coastal Road. By 2028, commuting across the suburban belt will become significantly easier, as these two projects will be absolute gamechangers,” said Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects).

The total cost of the GMLR project is Rs 140 billion, and the BMC has set a deadline of 2028 for full completion.