3 projects reduce travel time in suburbs

July 7, 2014

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Manthan K Mehta,TNN |

MUMBAI: The last six months have seen a transformation in the commuting pattern in the suburbs, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) commissioned three crucial projects that have dramatically improved east-west connectivity.

The 6.5km Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) was thrown open to traffic on April 18, due to which traffic on LBS Road, Sion-Dharavi Link Road and Eastern Express Highway between Suman Nagar and Sion Circle has eased.

The commissioning of the Sahar Elevated Corridor also helped decongest Andheri (E) on the Western Express Highway, particularly Sahar Road. The signal-free corridor connects directly to the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport’s T2.

The third was the opening of the 12-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro. It has had a spillover effect on the Andheri-Kurla Road, as traffic has thinned even during peak hours, with most commuters avoiding autorickhaws or the use of private vehicles.

Saki Naka commuter Prasad Rao said, “The area was one of the most polluted due to traffic snarls. The Metro’s success will spur demand for such projects.”

An MMRDA official said, “It has reduced BEST’s clientele, forcing the administration to pull out some buses from the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road. Most will opt for the Metro in the long run due to the speed and comfort it offers vis-a-vis road transport.” Andheri (E) has developed into a major business district too. He said, “Even if fares are set at Rs10-40, most employers will factor this in their salary bill, as punctuality is paramount.”

Metro ferry I and Metro ferry II feeder routes were launched on June 25. Metro ferry I caters to office-goers from Seepz and MIDC to reach Chakala, the airport and Marol stations, while II connects commuters from Azad Nagar station to Link Road, Laxmi industrial estate, Lokhandwala complex and Adarsh Nagar.

The SCLR has been well-appreciated but the approach near Kapadia Nagar has been criticized due to the congested road near the Bandra-Kurla Complex-Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus road junction (Im-am Ahmed Raza Chowk).

An MMRDA official said that they have decided to improve the situation at the junction. Moreover, there is a plan to build flyovers from BKC to CST and Mumbai University junction in Kalina to CST.

MMRDA has invited tenders for the BKC-EEH connector via Chunnabhatti, which will help east-west connectivity. The project will go over the Central Railway tracks, eliminating the level-crossing gate at Chunnabhati station.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/