Much-delayed Chandni Chowk flyover to be opened tomorrow

Gadkari laid the foundation stone for the flyover in 2018.

Chandni Chowk is the main junction that connects Bavdhan, NDA, Pashan, Mulshi Road, Paud Road, Mumbai–Bengaluru bypass. Huge traffic congestion has been the norm due to the junction’s connectivity to Information Technology Park at Hinjewadi via the highway. The area’s wide connectivity prompted the civic body to plan redevelopment of the area.

It took the PMC a long time to acquire the requisite land due to shortage of funds to buy the properties, which included a multi-storey building, a few bungalows and open plots owned by private and government agencies. The state government also provided Rs 185 crore to acquire the land for the project, and a total of 18.973 hectares were acquired.

However, the delays pushed ahead the deadline for completing the work from 2021 to 2023. Eventually, due to paucity of funds, the PMC handed over the project to NHAI, as the highway stretch would also be developed alongside civic roads in the project.

The flyover comprises four bridges or flyovers and two underpasses. All arms of the road totalling 16.98 km are complete.

NCP MP Supriya Sule has demanded that PMC and NHAI name the multilevel flyover after Senapati Bapat. “It is the entry point to Mulshi tehsil. And so, the flyover should be named after Senapati Bapat as a mark of respect for his immense contribution to Mulshi,” she had said recently. She said Mulshi has historical importance, as the great revolutionary freedom fighter Senapati Bapat in 1921 had launched a movement of farmers. “The 100-year anniversary of the movement was celebrated recently. His struggle and endeavour will always be remembered if the flyover is named after him,” NCP MP had said.

BJP leader and former mayor Murlidhar Mohol attributed the success of the mega project to BJP rule in PMC, state and Union government. “Efforts are on to create a memorial of Maratha king Shivaji near Chandni Chowk and name it ‘Shivswaraj Pravesh Dwar’ as it is said that the Maratha king would enter the city from here.”