Flyovers on Linking Road for signal-free ride

“We are planning to construct flyovers at major junctions which face huge traffic jams between Bandra and Dahisar on the Linking Road. The idea is to create a signal-free road between the two points,” said Bipin Shrimali,vice-chairman and managing director,MSRDC.

The agency also wants a study to find out if flyovers can be constructed on the new ‘back road’ that runs parallel to the Linking Road from Lokhandwala in Andheri further northward. The congested S V Road was ruled out for construction of flyovers as it is too narrow.

The MSRDC has roped in consultant firm S N Bhobe & Associates to carry out a feasibility study and compile a report,which is expected to be submitted in two weeks,officials said. This was suggested by Chief Secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad during a recently held meeting with MSRDC officials.

According to sources,the original idea was to create an elevated Linking Road,which was ruled out as there are several utilities along the route and the point-to-point user numbers were also not huge. Therefore,the option of flyover was zeroed in on to provide a signal-free road. “The flyovers will be long and cover around two to three junctions. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 2,000 crore,” Shrimali added.

Earlier,the MSRDC had planned to carry out a feasibility study on whether an elevated road can be constructed on the Western Express Highway to provide respite from traffic jams. “The proposal was turned down by the Public Works Department,” a senior MSRDC official said.

Following the submission of the feasibility report,apart from the challenge of raising the finances for the project,another major task before the corporation will be getting a no-objection certificate from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation,which maintains the Linking Road.