Traffic congestion along the Nahur-Airoli stretch of the Eastern Express Highway is expected to ease with the construction of a major cable-stayed flyover under Phase 4 of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.
The proposed elevated structure will measure around 1,330 metres, including 270 metres of ramps, and is designed to improve movement between Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs. Its key feature will be a 180-metre main span, with a five-lane carriageway in each direction for traffic crossing the highway.
The project is being undertaken by Akshaya Infra Projects-Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. joint venture, with a target completion period of 36 months.
To strengthen technical supervision, the Municipal Corporation has appointed Technogem Consultants Pvt. Ltd. as the project’s technical consultant. Independent technical reviews are also being undertaken by institutions including IIT Bombay and VJTI, with the aim of maintaining quality and structural safety throughout construction.
Measures to Tackle Traffic Bottlenecks
At present, motorists travelling between Nahur and Airoli toll plazas frequently encounter congestion, particularly at peak hours. The new cable-stayed flyover is intended to provide uninterrupted movement and reduce dependence on signalised junctions.
The wider Phase 4 plan also includes 2,400 metres of cloverleaf-loop interchanges around the Mulund junction. These elevated ramps are being planned at all four corners to provide smoother turning movements once the earlier phases of GMLR are completed.
In addition, around 3,600 metres of permanent at-grade bypass roads are proposed to further separate through traffic from turning movements.
Traffic Flow During Construction
To minimise disruption while the major infrastructure is being built, the administration is also developing temporary at-grade open left-turn lanes and carrying out improvements to existing roads at the four corners of the junction.
These interim measures are intended to keep vehicles moving more efficiently during the construction period.
The cable-stayed flyover forms a key component of GMLR Phase 4, which is being developed to strengthen east-west connectivity and improve traffic movement between Mumbai’s established suburbs and adjoining areas.
Once completed, the elevated corridor, together with the planned interchanges and bypass roads, is expected to create a more continuous traffic network and reduce congestion around one of the region’s important transport junctions.
Source: Lokmat
