Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) has received a new elevated road connection to the Western Express Highway (WEH), aimed at improving traffic movement between the city’s eastern and western corridors.
The newly opened 1.4-km Bharat Nagar Road–Vakola Junction stretch has been developed under Phase II of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) Extension. The corridor provides motorists with a direct alternative route between BKC and the Western Express Highway, reducing the need to pass through some of the area’s heavily congested roads.
Elevated Link To Bypass Congested Stretches
The elevated corridor is expected to help motorists avoid traffic bottlenecks around Kalina, Vakola and Kalanagar. It forms part of the wider SCLR network, which has been developed to improve east-west connectivity across Mumbai.
The newly completed section also serves as the final elevated component of the SCLR network. With this stretch now operational, the entire network spans around 10.3 km and connects the Eastern Express Highway with the Western Express Highway.
Travel Time Expected To Reduce
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) expects the completed SCLR network to cut travel time on important routes by nearly 35 minutes. The new BKC-WEH link is expected to provide commuters with an additional route while improving connectivity between the eastern and western parts of the city.
Eight Links Completed Around BKC
Connectivity around BKC’s G-Block has also expanded, with eight links now completed. Six links had initially been planned to address traffic movement around the commercial district. The additional connections are now part of the broader road network serving BKC.
Congestion Reported Near New Landing
While the new corridor is designed to reduce congestion, some traffic build-up has been reported near its landing point at Bharat Nagar Road and Vakola Junction on the Western Express Highway. The chief minister said measures were being taken to regulate traffic in the area.
With the SCLR network now fully connected between the Eastern and Western Express Highways, the new elevated section is expected to strengthen road connectivity to BKC and offer motorists another option for crossing the city.
Source: The Times of India
