Construction of the Arm 1 and Arm 2 flyovers at the busy junction connecting the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) and the Sion-Panvel Highway has hit a roadblock due to the presence of Tata Power’s high-voltage transmission lines. To resume the stalled infrastructure project, the municipal administration has proposed allocating Rs 39.56 crore to Tata Power for shifting and raising the height of the overhead power lines.
The proposal has been placed before the Standing Committee for approval. Once cleared, Tata Power will undertake the necessary work to remove the obstruction and enable the flyover construction to move forward.
The Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road serves as a crucial transportation corridor for Mumbai’s eastern suburbs. However, the junction where it meets the Sion-Panvel Highway frequently experiences severe traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. Commuters travelling from Vashi towards Ghatkopar-Mankhurd in the mornings and in the reverse direction during evenings often face long delays, resulting in increased travel time, higher fuel consumption and additional air pollution.
To address these issues, the municipal corporation initiated the Arm 1 and Arm 2 flyover project, aimed at streamlining traffic movement and reducing bottlenecks at the intersection. However, the alignment of both flyover arms currently intersects with Tata Power’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure, making it impossible to proceed without relocating or elevating the power lines.
Following a request from the civic body, Tata Power submitted a proposal seeking Rs 39.56 crore for carrying out the required modifications. The corporation has agreed to provide the amount as an advance payment, citing Tata Power’s technical expertise and experience in handling such specialised electrical infrastructure. As a result, the work is proposed to be awarded directly to the utility company without a separate tendering process.
Under the project, Arm 1 will provide a dedicated route for vehicles travelling towards Vashi, while Arm 2 will create a second-level flyover for traffic entering the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road from Vashi. Together, the two structures are expected to significantly ease congestion and improve traffic flow in the area. TPF Engineering Pvt. Ltd. has been appointed as the technical consultant, while the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has been assigned as the review consultant for the project.
Source: Loksatta
