The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority is working on two separate projects that will link Thane and Bhayander. The two separate projects include a 5.5 km long tunnel of INR 41 crore followed by an 9.5 km long flyover road worth INR 28 crore. An MMRDA official said the flyover road will feature eight lanes due to the presence of mangroves adjacent to the bay shore. The main focus of the project, besides connecting suburbs, would be controlling the traffic situation on NH48. This project is different from the Thane-Borivali project that will pass beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority has planned two separate projects - a 5.5 km long tunnel and a 9.8 km long elevated road - to connect Thane and Bhayander.
The tunnel lanes would have three lanes on either side while the flyover road would have four lanes on either side, the media added. Once the contracts are awarded, the project worth INR 69 crore is anticipated to be completed within 4.5 years.
Besides directly connecting suburbs, the Thane-Bhayandar road link will serve as a critical role in controlling traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH 48) which serves as the primary link but is in poor condition, resulting in lost productivity and increased accidents. The proposed roadway aims to enhance accessibility and create a safer, more efficient transportation network for the region's commuters. The 5.5 km long tunnel will begin from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel in Thane Ghodbunder, at a cost of INR 41 crore followed by the 9.8 km long flyover road that will begin from Fountain Hotel to Bhyandar worth INR 28 crore, a media reported.
An MMRDA official noted that an eight lane elevated road covering 9.8 km is proposed due to the presence of mangroves adjacent to the bay shore. He said that the highway will be bridged with the proposed Versova-Bhayander coastal road via an internal road. The ongoing development of Mumbai and Thane had led to formation of a ring road system around the city. However, an important link between Gaimukh in Thane and Bhayandar was missing, leading to heavy traffic. The situation is likely to get worse when the Thane Coastal Road is completed. Hence, the tunnel road is proposed, an official said. The proposal for the Thane-Bhayandar road link was sanctioned at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ekhnath Shinde in July.
An official stated last month that they would ensure minimal displacement during the execution of the project. They explained that tunnels needed to be constructed due to the presence of the Metro elevated corridor and the hillocks located between the Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel junctions.Furthermore, the Thane-Bhayandar project is different from the Thane-Borivali project that will pass beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The latter would be an 11.8km long tunnel with a total expense of INR 16,600 crore. An official earlier said that the Thane- Borivali tunnel will reduce transit distance between Thane and Borivali by 12 km and save one hour travel time.
In conclusion, the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority's planned Thane-Bhayandar road link, featuring a 5.5 km tunnel and a 9.8 km flyover road, aims to enhance connectivity between the two suburbs while alleviating traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. With a budget of INR 69 crore and a projected completion time of 4.5 years, this project will not only improve accessibility but also contribute to a safer transportation network for commuters. The initiative, sanctioned by Chief Minister Ekhnath Shinde, reflects the ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive road system in the region, addressing the growing traffic challenges posed by urban development.
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