December 2, 2025: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has commenced construction of the 13.9 km Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension, a high-speed, fully elevated corridor designed to significantly reduce travel time between Thane and South Mumbai. Announced by the agency on X, the project marks a major step toward easing congestion on the Eastern Express Highway and transforming daily mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The six-lane corridor is expected to bring down travel time between South Mumbai and Thane to just 25 to 30 minutes once operational. According to officials, the new freeway will help decongest the heavily burdened Eastern Express Highway, which currently carries lakhs of commuters and remains one of Mumbai’s most choked routes.
The elevated link will stretch from Anand Nagar in Thane to Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar, connecting major junctions at Mulund, Airoli, the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Mankhurd, and Ghatkopar. In Thane, it will integrate with the Anand Nagar to Saket Elevated Road near the former Mulund Octroi Naka, enabling uninterrupted movement and faster access to the Samruddhi Expressway. MMRDA said the project will streamline traffic flow, reduce emissions, and offer a quicker and more reliable commute for lakhs of residents, while also boosting regional economic activity.
A key highlight of the project is its environmental realignment. After consultations with environmental experts, MMRDA altered the Vikhroli to Ghatkopar stretch to protect 127 Pink Trumpet trees. Additionally, the agency has committed to planting 4,175 new trees as part of compensatory afforestation efforts. Officials noted that this reflects a growing emphasis on balancing infrastructure expansion with ecological preservation.
The project incorporates several engineering firsts for the region, including a single pile, single pier system for an elevated roadway. Other technical elements include two-point-five-metre-diameter monopiles, 40-metre spans, and a 25-metre single-segment superstructure. Ramps are planned near Mulund Check Naka, Airoli Junction, and Vikhroli Junction, along with a three-lane toll plaza on each side near the Navghar Flyover.
With preliminary surveys, test piles, and most geotechnical investigations complete, MMRDA has moved into active construction across multiple locations to ensure the timely delivery of the ambitious corridor.
Source: The Free Press Journal
