On Sunday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated a 2.9 km flyover connecting the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Marg and the Sion-Panvel highway. Work on the six-lane bridge was initially expected to be completed by January 2019, but was delayed due to design changes to add a connector up to the Deonar dumping ground.
all vehicles coming from Eastern Express Highway And Santacruz-Chembur Link Road One can use the flyover, which is also expected to reduce heavy vehicular traffic as the bridge is an important connector for the highways leading to Konkan and Bengaluru.
In his speech after the inauguration, the CM said, “Earlier, seeing the ongoing work, I also did not feel like passing through this road, but now with the construction of this flyover, drivers can bypass the traffic below. I just have a small request to BMC: The flyover surface should be made smooth.
The flyover has been welcomed by the local people. Rajkumar Sharma, chairman of Chembur-based Advanced Locality Management and Networking Action Committee (ALMANAC), said the traffic on this route has become very heavy and hence the flyover will be a big relief for motorists. “During our ALM meetings, we had discussed a safe pedestrian crossing along the route as vehicles move at a very high speed. The area leading to Deonar slaughterhouse and Shivaji Nagar had become extremely congested. We are glad that this flyover is finally ready.”
Earlier, a controversy had erupted over the naming of the flyover. Ultimately, on 29 July, a resolution was approved at a civil works committee meeting to name it after Shivaji Maharaj. But the name is yet to be approved by the BMC general body, which is expected to meet in the coming days.
The construction cost of the flyover was Rs 580 crore. Traffic is expected to get relief from the flyover Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road, which is used by motorists traveling to Navi Mumbai, Lonavala and further to Pune. After the inauguration, Congress councilor Ravi Raja, who is the Leader of Opposition in the BMC, alleged that he was not invited despite the protocol. “The leaders of the group were expected to extend invitations to such events, which take place every now and then. In a democracy, the position of the Leader of the Opposition plays an important role. Also, the government has given statutory status to the Leader of the Opposition in corporations by law.”
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