Vikhroli-Kopar Khairane link road delayed by a year - HT
A V Shenoy
- 21 Dec 2015
- Hindustan Times (Mumbai)
- HT Correspondent htm...@hindustantimes.com
Vikhroli-Kopar Khairane link road delayed by a year
MUMBAI: Construction of the proposed Vikhroli-Kopar Khairane link road is yet to see the light of day as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is still awaiting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) nod.
The MMRDA chalked out a plan to build the 10- km link road that will pass over Thane Creek and the dumping ground at Kanjurmarg. It had, in November 2013, appointed NP Bridging, a Belgium-based firm, to design the link road over Thane creek between the existing Vashi creek bridge and Airoli-Mulund creek bridge.
It then sought the BMC’s permission to start construction on the dumping ground. But even after a year, the BMC has not responded.
According to a civic official, an elevated road cannot be constructed over the dumping ground area, as the garbage heap can pile up to 35 metres.
Now, the MMRDA is mulling changing the alignment of the link road by avoiding the Kanjurmarg dumping yard. “The Belgium company’s engineers will be coming to Mumbai in January next year. We will then see if any changes could be made to the alignment,” said UPS Madan, commissioner, MMRDA.
The MMRDA plans to construct a 10-km link road from Easter n Express Highway (EEH), where the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) ends. The link road will pass over Thane creek and the trans-harbour railway line and will culminate at the Thane-Belapur Road.
This road was originally proposed to start at Ghatkopar as the Ghatkopar-Kopar Khairane Link Road. However, the plan was changed keeping in mind the effective dispersal of traffic coming from JVLR.
The cost of the link road is estimated at Rs1,000 crore approximately.
At present, one has to either take the Vashi bridge or Airoli-Mulund bridge to go to Navi Mumbai and Pune, which are long routes for many commuters. The new road will help commuters save on time and fuel.
It is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the Sion-Panvel highway, Vashi bridge, Airoli bridge and Thane-Belapur Road.