Archive · 26 Aug 2026
First TBM Begins Twin-Tunnel Excavation Beneath Mumbai’s National Park
A large machine called Tulsi has started digging two road tunnels under Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
It has already dug nine metres.
The tunnels will connect Goregaon and Mulund in Mumbai.
Each tunnel will have three lanes.
A second digging machine is also being put together.
Officials say worker safety is a top priority.
The second machine is expected to be tested starting October 1.
The entire road project is expected to finish by the end of 2028.
TBM ‘Tulsi’ excavated nine metres for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road’s twin tunnels beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
The tunnels will span 5.30 kilometres between Film City in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West.
The Rs 14,000-crore project will create a 12.2-kilometre east-west link between Goregaon and Mulund.
Officials inspected tunnelling progress and ordered strict safety measures and additional manpower if needed.
Assembly of the second TBM is 70% complete, with testing scheduled from October 1 before excavation begins.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and project officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar.
- What
- The first tunnel boring machine, Tulsi, began excavation for twin three-lane tunnels and has dug nine metres.
- When
- Tulsi was commissioned on August 17, 2026; the milestone was announced on August 26, 2026.
- Where
- Beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, between Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East and Amar Nagar in Mulund West, Mumbai.
- Why
- The tunnels are part of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, intended to provide a direct east-west connection between Goregaon and Mulund.
- Project
- Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, Phase 3(B)
- Tunnel length
- 5.30 kilometres
- Overall corridor
- 12.2 kilometres
- First TBM
- Tulsi
- Excavation completed
- 9 metres
- Project cost
- Rs 14,000 crore
- Second TBM
- Assembly 70% complete; Site Acceptance Test scheduled from October 1, 2026
- Expected completion
- End of 2028