The long-delayed Airoli-Ghansoli flyover in Navi Mumbai has reached 65% completion, with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) aiming to finish the project within the next year. However, the original deadline has already passed, leaving commuters waiting for clarity on when the route will open.
According to City Engineer Shirish Aardwad, construction has progressed significantly, with work on most pillars nearing completion. The approximately 3.5-kilometre corridor includes a 2.5-kilometre flyover designed to ease congestion along the busy Thane-Belapur route.
Once operational, the project is expected to provide an alternative for vehicles travelling towards Thane, Airoli and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Project Delayed Since 2003-04
The project was initially assigned to CIDCO in 2003-04, but construction did not progress as planned. NMMC subsequently took responsibility for advancing the development, conducting the tender process in 2024 and issuing a work order to the contractor in March that year. The project is estimated to cost around ₹650 crore.
Navi Mumbai has experienced increasing traffic pressure due to rising vehicle numbers, residential expansion and industrial activity. The Thane-Belapur road, which serves several industrial and residential areas, frequently experiences long queues during peak hours. Airport-bound travellers are also affected by these delays.
Palm Beach Road Extension to Improve Connectivity
The flyover and its connecting roads are expected to extend Palm Beach Road’s reach towards Airoli. This could offer motorists travelling from Belapur, Nerul and Vashi another route towards Thane, potentially reducing congestion on the existing corridor.
CIDCO has also proposed a bridge connecting Thane’s Kopri area with Airoli, along with a road linking Patni Maidan in Airoli towards the airport. If these projects are completed, connectivity between Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai International Airport could improve further, benefiting travellers heading towards Thane and Dombivli.
Potential Travel-Time Savings
Civic estimates suggest that the flyover and associated roads could divert around 30–40% of traffic from the Thane-Belapur route and reduce journey times by approximately 30–40 minutes.
However, the actual benefits will depend on timely completion of connecting roads, traffic management and the volume of vehicles using the new corridor. Despite the project’s renewed progress, commuters will have to wait for its completion to experience the expected relief.
Source: Loksatta
