Proposal submission for Ghodbunder decongestion project closes on Dec 30, bids to open on Jan 1

The project, designed to address the persistent gridlock on Ghodbunder Road in Thane, includes a 9.8km elevated corridor and a 3.5km underground tunnel. These infrastructure upgrades are expected to significantly enhance the road’s capacity and improve traffic flow.

The elevated corridor begins at Fountain Hotel Junction on Thane’s Ghodbunder Road and ends at Uttan Junction in Bhayander. The road will feature four lanes in each direction. The alignment passes through salt pans and mangroves, stretching 2.4 kilometres and runs alongside the Vasai creek for 6.6 kilometres until Retibunder village. It will also cross the Western Railway line.

A two-lane up-and-down ramp interchange is planned to facilitate traffic between Bhayander and Ghodbunder. Another interchange near Sant Tukaram Road will connect the elevated corridor to the existing road network.

Additionally, the project also includes a 3.5-kilometre underground tunnel, designed to further streamline traffic movement along the corridor. The deadline for the bid submission for this component remains aligned with the overall project timeline.

MMRDA views this project as a crucial step toward alleviating congestion on Ghodbunder Road, which serves as a lifeline for commuters traveling between Thane and neighbouring regions. By integrating elevated and underground infrastructure, the authority aims to provide a long-term solution to the area’s traffic challenges.

According to the MMRDA, Thane is one of the fastest growing cities with a population of over 1.50 million in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). As a result, there is constant and continuous movement of people between the two cities and it is estimated that almost 10 lakh people commute from Mumbai to Mira Bhayandar and vice-versa every day through the existing western express highway, which is already congested due to the existing traffic conditions.

Currently, there are only two modes of connectivity from Mira Bhayandar in Thane to Mumbai. The western express highway (NH8) and Western railway lines, both serve as the primary connectivity through road and rail respectively. As a result of this, a lot of congestion is seen on this existing connectivity.