The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has proposed a 26-kilometre elevated corridor to connect Thane directly with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport ( NMIA). Aimed at easing traffic congestion and cutting down commute time, the corridor is set to offer a faster, more efficient travel route for passengers and daily commuters.
According to CIDCO’s plan, the corridor will begin at Patni Chowk in Thane and run parallel to the Thane-Belapur Road for 17 kilometres, up to Vashi. From there, a 9-kilometre double-decker elevated road will continue towards NMIA. While the initial stretch is expected to face minimal environmental obstacles, the final segment passes through mangrove areas and coastal regulation zones, requiring clearances from multiple environmental authorities before construction can proceed.
The project is expected to cost Rs 8,000 crore, and the permission and land acquisition procedures will have a significant impact on how quickly it can be completed. The airport is anticipated to open in June, and this proposed corridor is a part of a broader effort to enhance regional connections.
In a significant development, CIDCO recently secured clearance from the forest department to use 4,859 square metres of land near the Ulwe and Sonkhar creeks. This will allow for the construction of a new bridge over the Ulwe River, further boosting access to NMIA.
The majority of commuters currently use extremely clogged roads, such as the Thane-Belapur Road and Palm Beach Road, to get to the airport area. In order to alleviate traffic jams and enhance connectivity throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, CIDCO’s elevated corridor is intended to be a smooth, fast substitute that will act as a crucial connection between Thane and the airport.
Source: Construction World
