Tuesday, April 15, 2025
By Kamal Swami
Travel Time From Mumbai – Thane To Reduce By 30 Minutes
As a part of an important step in improving the connectivity of Mumbai with suburban areas, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the construction of a new elevated road corridor between Ghatkopar and Thane. It is expected that the construction of this corridor will reduce travel time and control traffic congestion on one of the city's busiest routes. The 12.955-kilometre-long, signal-free corridor will be built from Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar to Anand Nagar in Thane, running directly over the Eastern Express Highway. According to MMRDA officials, the elevated road will have three lanes in each direction and a width of 40 metres. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 2,682 crore and is being executed by Navayuga Engineering.
The upcoming flyover will connect the existing 16.8-km Eastern Freeway, which runs from PD Mello Road near CSMT to Chheda Nagar. The construction of this corridor will provide relaxation to car drivers travelling from South Mumbai to Thane from the excessive traffic, and reduce the travel time by 30-35 minutes. According to reports, Navayuga Engineering has started the work with excavation and pillar construction currently underway. Barricades have been erected along the route for safety, and parts of the structure are now visible to commuters.
One of the notable challenges in the project was the relocation of 1,694 slum units in Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar. Thanks to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) which smoothly facilitated the time-consuming tasks without any major delay in starting the task of constructing the corridor. It is reported that the MMRDA will also take on the redevelopment of the vacated slum cluster, paving the way for smoother execution. This elevated corridor will prove to be a major step in providing relaxation for the car travellers travelling frequently between South Mumbai and Thane, particularly beyond Mankhurd. Once completed, it promises to be a game-changer for daily travel in the region.
