Thane: Motorists traveling from Mumbai, Thane, and outbound areas toward Nashik, Gujarat, and Konkan, who rely on the lone
Ghodbunder Road
connecting the highway, may soon experience relief from persistent traffic congestion, as work on alternative road networks to the highway has gained momentum. TOI was the first to report, in 2022, that
MMRDA
was working on plans to connect Bhiwandi and Thane with a series of parallel
bridges
over Thane creek.
Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have informed that consultants have been appointed for three independent bridges connecting Kasarvadavli, Gaimukh, and Kolshet on Ghodbunder Road in Thane with Kharbao, Payegaon, and Kalher in Bhiwandi, respectively. These areas, currently separated by the Thane creek, will be linked by bridges that will run parallel to one another, spaced a few kilometers apart.
This development was announced at MMRDA’s 282nd executive committee meeting. Officials stated that the bridges will not only reduce congestion on Ghodbunder Road but also enhance connectivity between Bhiwandi’s warehouses and the wider metropolitan region, including JNPT and Gujarat.
“These projects, among others, will improve connectivity across the Metropolitan Region. We are not only addressing traffic congestion but also aiming at fostering growth in the area, which will enhance quality of life and boost the overall economy,” said chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is also MMRDA’s chairman.
Metropolitan commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee emphasized that the projects will play a vital role in easing traffic flow, spurring development in Mumbai and Thane, and meeting the future demands of the region.
