BJP MLA pushes for coastal freeway

While the chief minister’s showpiece coastal road project, to connect western suburbs to south Mumbai, is stalled awaiting the approval of the environment ministry for reclamation, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, BJP MLA from south Mumbai, is pushing for a coastal freeway from Ghatkopar to Virar through Nariman Point to create an outer ring road.

Lodha, who said he has discussed these plans with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, is advocating extending the existing Eastern Freeway, which stretches from Ghatkopar to P D’Mello Road, to Nariman Point by largely resorting to the Mumbai Port Trust land along the eastern coast.

“There are such outer roads in every major city so that long-distance commuters can travel faster without disrupting the main city traffic. Also, there should be as little reclamation as possible. Wherever possible, the plan should resort to sea links,” Lodha said.