"Presently, people from Thane-Borivli have to drive 11.8km to reach Shil Phata. Once this bridge and tunnel is ready, the overall travel distance will reduce to just 4.5km," said an MMRDA official.
After four years, motorists will not have to take a detour via Mhape to go from Thane to Shil Phata as an elevated road is likely to be ready by then cutting down the travelling distance.
There are plans with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to erect an elevated road or a flyover (918 metres) and have a tunnel (1.7km) to reduce the overall distance needed to travel between Thane-Shil Phata (on National Highway 4).
"Presently, people from Thane-Borivli have to drive 11.8km to reach Shil Phata. Once this bridge and tunnel is ready, the overall travel distance will reduce to just 4.5km," said an MMRDA official.
As per the plans, the three lanes (each direction) bridge will be constructed between Bharat Bijlee and Siemens Factory parallel to Airoli railway station. From Siemens plant, there will be a road tunnel of four lanes in either direction connecting Shil Phata. This tunnel will be 1.7km long.
"Bid has been floated for the elevated road and in a few days another tender will be floated for tunnel project," said an official.
The elevated road component has an estimated cost of Rs135.21 crore, the overall project cost, including the tunnel has been pegged at Rs453.75 crore.
The need to have such connectivity is because of population explosion outside Greater Mumbai limits and even state government's focus to have business districts outside Mumbai civic limits. Therefore, already several industries and commercial or corporate units have come up along Thane-Belapur Road.
Already construction is underway at Thane-Belapur Road to have two flyovers. These are being constructed at Ghansoli Naka-Talawali Naka (1.4km) and Savita Chemicals Junction (600 metres). Another vehicular underpass of 500 metres is planned at Mhape Junction as part of improving connectivity in Thane-Navi Mumbai-Kalyan belt.
Thane-Belapur road - NH4 connectivity
Flyover: 918 mtr
Tunnel: 1.7km
Cost of project: Rs453.75 crore
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