MUMBAI – As Mumbai continues its ambitious infrastructure overhaul, the stark reality of urban development is weighing heavily on the residents of Mulund. The highly anticipated Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, designed to revolutionize east-west connectivity in the financial capital, has become a source of daily distress for locals due to prolonged construction delays and environmental mismanagement.
According to reports analyzed by Lokmaha News, the slow pace of work has transformed residential zones into dust-choked corridors, raising serious health concerns among the populace.
The Rising Cost of Development
For the residents living along the alignment of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, particularly in the Mulund West area, the project has brought significant hardships. The excavation work, intended to build twin tunnels under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, has resulted in massive accumulation of debris. Residents complain that the failure to dampen this debris has led to severe air pollution.
Local community members have highlighted that thick layers of dust now coat their homes and vehicles within hours. Senior citizens and children are reportedly facing respiratory issues, exacerbating the challenges of living in one of India’s densest cities. Furthermore, the constant movement of heavy machinery and dumpers has disrupted traffic flow, leading to bottlenecks during peak hours.
Understanding the GMLR Project
The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road is a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing travel time between Mumbai’s western and eastern suburbs from over an hour to roughly 20 minutes. The project involves complex engineering, including twin tunnels stretching over 4.7 kilometers beneath the national park, ensuring minimal disturbance to the forest’s wildlife.
However, while the engineering marvel promises future convenience, the current execution is drawing sharp criticism. Lokmaha News emphasizes that while infrastructure growth is vital for a global city like Mumbai, it should not come at the cost of the immediate well-being of its citizens.
Residents Demand Accountability
Civic activists have pointed out that standard operating procedures for construction sites—such as installing sheet barriers, regularly sprinkling water to settle dust, and managing noise levels—are being flouted. The lack of strict enforcement by municipal authorities has allowed contractors to operate with apparent negligence.
Residents are now calling for immediate intervention from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Their demands are simple: expedite the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road construction and strictly enforce pollution control measures.
As the city looks toward a modernized future, the plight of Mulund’s residents serves as a reminder that the path to development must be paved with sustainable and citizen-friendly practices. Lokmaha News will continue to track the progress of this project and the authorities’ response to these grievances.
