The MMRDA is also taking up the Thane Coastal Road project between Gaimukh and Bhayandar
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has obtained approval for a new road aimed at easing traffic congestion on Ghodbunder Road in Thane. The approval was granted at a meeting of the MMRDA chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday.
The plan entails constructing a new 15.5-km road from Gaimukh in Thane to Bhayandar, which will include an elevated road and a tunnel, at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore. Sources said the proposed route will consist of a 10-km elevated section and a 3.5-km underground tunnel.
The project is divided into two parts. The first involves constructing a 5.5-km road from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel. Due to its proximity to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a 3.5-km stretch of this road will be an underground tunnel.
The second part includes a 10-km elevated road from Fountain Hotel to Bhayandar. The elevated road will run above the existing highway, having four lanes, while the tunnel will have three lanes.
The construction of the 10-km elevated road between Fountain Hotel and Bhayandar is expected to greatly ease the journey for travellers from Gujarat and other states. Besides, local vehicles often face severe traffic congestion at the Fountain Hotel junction, especially during peak hours. The new elevated road aims to facilitate faster, smoother travel without the usual traffic bottlenecks.
Upon completion, motorists will have alternative routes between Balkumb in Thane and Fountain Hotel and from Fountain Hotel to Bhayandar.
The MMRDA is also taking up the Thane Coastal Road project between Gaimukh and Bhayandar. Additionally, work on the 11.8-km twin tunnel project, designed to improve connectivity from Ghodbunder Road, Thane, to Borivali, is set to commence soon. The contract for this twin tunnel project has been awarded to Megha Engineering.