Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated key transport infrastructure projects in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including the final arm of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) Phase-2 and Chembur Metro station. He also launched the second tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project.
The projects were inaugurated through a video conference from Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and senior officials.
SCLR Phase-2 corridor opens
The 1.40-km elevated BKC-Vakola arm connects the Bharat Nagar Road-Mumbai University area with Vakola Junction. It is the final link of the SCLR project and is expected to improve east-west connectivity between the Eastern Express Highway and Western Express Highway.
MMRDA said the larger SCLR network, including eight approach roads, is now complete. The 10.30-km integrated corridor is expected to improve access to BKC, Mumbai Airport and other commercial areas while helping motorists avoid congestion around Kalina, Vakola and Kalanagar.
The corridor was opened to traffic after the inauguration.
Chembur Metro station begins services
The newly inaugurated Chembur station on Metro Line 2B is designed to facilitate interchange with the suburban railway and Monorail networks. Passenger services began at 5 pm on Thursday.
With the station becoming operational, six stations on Metro Line 2B are now serving commuters.
Second TBM launched for Thane-Borivali tunnel
Fadnavis also launched ‘Arjuna’, the second TBM for the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project. The first machine, ‘Nayak’, is already engaged in excavation, allowing work on both tunnels to proceed simultaneously.
The machine measures 86 metres in length, with an inner diameter of 11.85 metres and an outer diameter of 13.34 metres. The twin tunnels will pass beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from around 90 minutes to nearly 15 minutes.
Officials estimate that about one lakh commuters could benefit from the route each day.
BKC flyover named after former CM
The 1.62-km BKC Connector Flyover has been named after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Barrister Babasaheb Anantrao Bhosale. The four-lane elevated corridor provides a signal-free connection between BKC and the Eastern Express Highway.
Fadnavis said the projects would strengthen Mumbai’s integrated transport network by bringing together roads, Metro and suburban railway infrastructure. MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said the developments would contribute to creating a seamless transport and Ring Road network across the MMR.
Source: Mid-day
