Changing City: Sewri-Worli connector to ease out 15-20 % traffic from upcoming MTHL sea bridge

The 4.512-km-long SWEC alignment starts from the Sewri Interchange of MTHL on the east side of Sewri railway station, runs along Acharya Donde Marg, Jagannath Bhatankar Marg and joins the Narayan Hardikar Marg near Worli.

In the process, it will cross major north-south roads such as Dr Anni Besant Road, Gokhale Road (South) Senapati Bapat Marg, Western Railway and Central Railway tracks, Dr Ambedkar Road, Dr Ernest Borges Road, Dr S. S. Rao Marg, G. D. Ambekar Marg, Tokashi Jivaraj Road, Zakaria Bundar Road (R. A. Kidwai Marg), Comed Rambhau Devji Patil Road, Harbour Line Tracks, and Eastern Freeway including ramps at R A Kidwai Marg on south and north side and up and down ramps at Acharaya Donde Marg.

The SWEC alignment will also have ROBs near Sewri Railway Station (81.117 metres) and at Elphinston Road Railway Station (132.20 meters).

Project cost: Rs 1,051.86 crore

Physical Progress: 45%

Features:

Length of Viaduct: 4.512 km

Width: 17m and 12m

Maximum Height of Pier: 24 metres

Average Height of Pier: 15 metres

Design speed: 80 Km/hr

Type of Superstructure: Segmental

Type of Superstructure for obligatory span: Steel superstructure

Benefits:

• The effectiveness and viability of MTHL depends on Sewri- Worli Elevated Connector.
• SWEC will connect MTHL and Bandra worli Sealink/ Coastal Road.
• Connector to have direct or signal-free connectivity between two sea links.
• Commuters from Navi Mumbai to Central and South Mumbai will have benefits in terms of time saving & mostly trouble-free ride.
• Travel from the city to Navi Mumbai will be easier.
• Long-distance travellers from western suburbs towards Goa and South India are likely to use Bandra Worli Sea Link, Sewri-Worli Connector – MTHL instead of Sion Panvel Highway.
• SWEC project will contribute about 15 to 20% of the vehicular traffic on MTHL.
• Due to SWEC, approximately 45,000 motorists will benefit.
• Connector will facilitate speedy and safe travel. It saves time and fuel.

Challenges:
• Demolition of 100-year-old ROB at Elphinston Road which will be reconstructed.
• 19 buildings to be demolished for the existing road expansion proposed on both sides of the Elphinstone Road Rail overbridge; 12 are in the F-South civic ward and seven are in the G-South civic ward, with most of them being cessed buildings.
•368 Project Affected People (PAPs)
• Demolished 850 slums in Kamgar Nagar for the road expansion work and smooth execution of the Sewri-Worli connector.

Official speak:

According to MMRDA Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, the Sewri-Worli connector will play a vital role in providing uninterrupted and essential connectivity to the MTHL and also serve as a connection to the coastal road project. “Despite encountering numerous challenges, we are actively addressing obstacles like Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) and making steady progress towards the project’s completion every day,” Mukherjee said.