Milan Subway ROB opens finally to commuter relief

CM Prithviraj Chavan inaugurated Friday the 700-metre Milan Subway rail over-bridge (ROB).

CM Prithviraj Chavan inaugurated Friday the 700-metre Milan Subway rail over-bridge (ROB). The bridge will allow commuters to avoid the congested and flooding-prone Milan Subway and save travel time between SV Road and Western Express Highway. The ROB was under construction since 2008 and was originally to cost Rs 41 crore.

Many people expressed doubt if the project would ever be completed. The biggest difficulty was launching a 61-metre steel span across the tracks. Also,more than 300 people had to be rehabilitated, CM said,adding that displaced families would be given permanent accommodations in the vicinity.

MMRDA had to place a single span weighing about 900 metric tonnes above the suburban railway line between Santacruz and Vile Parle. The project was delayed partly as the development authority took a long time negotiating a clearance with Western Railway.

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MMRDA had to raze 162 houses,130 shops and shift five religious structures to build the bridge and a 700-metre service road to it. To use the two-lane bridge built at Rs 83 crore,motorists going from Western Express Highway towards Andheri will have to take a left at the airport junction in Santacruz and join Dayaldas Road. Those going towards Bandra will have to take a right at Nehru Road below the airport flyover. Motorists on SV Road can directly access the bridge.

Given the circumstances,this was the most feasible alignment, said UPS Madan,metropolitan commissioner at MMRDA.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com

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