Mumbai Three important infrastructure projects will be inaugurated on Thursday, October 22 to improve the traffic system in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate Vidyavihar Flyover, Sion Railway Flyover and flyover built under Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR). The people of Mumbai, who have been waiting for the start of these projects for a long time, are expected to get a big relief from this. With the opening of these bridges, traffic between the eastern and western parts of the city will be easier and the traffic pressure on the busy roads will be reduced.
According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), all three projects will be inaugurated virtually at 1 pm on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar will be present as chief guests in the program. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde will preside over the function. The inauguration program will also be telecast live at all three project sites.
Mumbai residents will get relief after a long wait
In view of the ever increasing vehicular pressure and traffic jam problem in Mumbai, these three flyover projects are being considered important. At many places, due to narrow roads and railway lines, passengers have to travel long distances.
Now with the opening of the new flyover, alternative routes will be available to the drivers. This is expected to reduce travel time and also save fuel.
BMC said that the main objective of these projects is to strengthen east-west connectivity in the city, reduce congestion at major intersections and provide more convenient transportation system to the citizens.
Travel time will be reduced through Vidyavihar flyover
The new flyover built near Vidyavihar railway station is a major part of this project. This approximately 650 meter long bridge will provide great convenience to the people living on both sides of the railway line.
This bridge connects Ramachandra Chemburkar Marg on the eastern side with Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg on the western side. In this, about 100 meter long main bridge has been built over the railway tracks.
Apart from this, 220 meter long approach roads have been prepared in the eastern direction and about 330 meter long in the western direction.
With the opening of the flyover, the travel time between the eastern and western stretches is expected to reduce from 40 to 45 minutes to about 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours.
This is expected to improve the traffic system in Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar and Kurla areas.
New flyover in place of 112 year old Sion bridge
The new bridge has been built by removing the old railway overbridge located near Sion railway station. This approximately 112 year old bridge was declared unsuitable from safety point of view.
Traffic in the surrounding areas was affected due to the closure of the old bridge. Drivers had to go through alternative routes, due to which the problem of traffic jams on many roads increased.
The new Sion flyover will play an important role in connecting Dharavi, Bandra, Bandra-Kurla Complex and Kurla with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg and Eastern Express Highway.
The reconstruction work of the bridge has been done in coordination with Central Railway and BMC. The main bridge in the railway area was constructed by the Central Railway, while the Municipal Corporation took the responsibility of strengthening the approach roads and other necessary improvements.
Also important for the fifth and sixth lines of the railway
The reconstruction of Sion Railway Overbridge is important not only for road traffic but also for the expansion of Mumbai’s railway system.
Under the second phase of Mumbai Urban Transport Project i.e. MUTP-2, there is a plan to lay the fifth and sixth railway lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kurla.
The structure of the old bridge was hindering this expansion. The new bridge has been designed in such a way that the process of laying additional railway lines can be taken forward in future.
Along with this, foot traffic facilities for the passengers have also been improved.
1.26 km flyover on Goregaon-Mulund Link Road
A 1.26 km long six-lane flyover has been constructed under the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project in Mumbai’s western suburb Goregaon.
This flyover is located near Ratnagiri Hotel Junction in Goregaon East. Through this, connectivity between General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg and Santosh Nagar will be improved.
This project is expected to reduce the vehicular pressure at Dindoshi Court and surrounding major intersections.
Modern technology has been used in the construction of the flyover. It uses precast concrete structures and special steel parts.
It is a part of the wider project of Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, which aims to make travel between the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai more convenient.
Mumbai’s traffic system will be strengthened
There is heavy traffic pressure on many major roads in the metropolis during morning and evening rush hours. Office-going employees, students and daily commuters face long traffic jams.
With the opening of flyovers at Vidyavihar, Sion and Goregaon, the vehicular pressure on the surrounding roads is expected to reduce.
These projects can benefit private vehicle drivers as well as passengers using taxis, buses and other public transport services.
However, the actual traffic improvement can be assessed only after regular traffic resumes on the bridges.
