While MMRDA is yet to decide which one will be started first, sources say the flyover going from BKC towards the airport via WEH could be the first to get the nod
After decongesting Kherwadi junction by constructing a flyover, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has speeded up the procedure for the construction of four flyovers at the busy Kalanagar Junction on the Western Express Highway (WEH).
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The cost of constructing the four flyovers is estimated at Rs 227 crore. In the month of November 2014, the MMRDA authorities had said that tenders for the flyovers will be invited soon but there was a delay. Though the monsoon is just a month away, an official says construction will start soon.
An MMRDA official said, “The opening of the north bound stretch of the Kherwadi flyover has helped a lot in solving the traffic issue and now our next important priority is to construct the four flyovers that we have planned at the busy Kalanagar Junction. The flyovers will be constructed in phases and soon we will be inviting tenders for these.”
It should be noted that not all the flyovers will be constructed at one go as this will create chaos and traffic jams and so one flyover will be constructed at a time. However the MMRDA has not yet finalised which of the four flyovers will be first constructed.
One of the flyovers will start at BKC and go towards Mahim causeway and run parallel to the Mithi river. It falls in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), but the good news is that due to a 2011 notification, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) can grant permission for it.
During the construction of this flyover, MMRDA will also have to temporarily demolish a small government office situated at the corner of the Kalanagar junction, on a left turn from Sion-Bandra Link Road towards Mahim.
Easing traffic
At present, a huge traffic jam takes place at Kalanagar junction during morning and evening peak hours. The worst affected areas are the Sion-Bandra Link Road, BKC, and WEH stretch going towards Bandra and Mahim.
Highly placed sources from MMRDA claimed that the flyover going from BKC towards the airport via WEH will be constructed the first, after which the one coming from Sea Link side or Bandra Reclamation towards BKC will be constructed. The decision on the remaining two flyovers will be taken at a later stage.
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