21.2.09

Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road snippets


Much before the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) or the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is completed, another road that will be the first to connect the Eastern and Western Express highways. The Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, being readied under shadow of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro route, is likely to be completed before the monsoon. The road, spanning 150 ft, is currently under construction from Asalfa village to Sarvodaya Hospital, Ghatkopar (W). “The link road is being developed as the Metro rail will pass over it. Eventually, it will stretch right up to the Eastern Freeway via the Eastern Express Highway,’’ MMRDA joint metropolitan commissioner Ashvini Bhave said. The project started in 2004, but gained momentum only in 2006. Till date, a major section has been widened up to Mohili village, just beyond Saki Naka. Till a year ago, the road was about 40 ft wide here. After the demolition of shanties it will soon be 150 ft. But at Subhash Nagar and Asalfa village, after the demolition of shanties, the authorities realised that there was not adequate width for the two metro stations. A new road is being readied with the demolition of three hillocks (Kajuwadi, Daya Sagar and Sainath Nagar). The road will also cut through a wing of the Sarvodaya Hospital at Ghatkopar. From Subhash Nagar, it is an elevated road which crosses over the R B Kadam Marg. At Sarvodaya Hospital, the metro rail will turn right towards Ghatkopar railway station and the road will curve left towards Shreyas theatre junction on the LBS Marg. “There is an existing link to the Eastern Express Highway. The plan is to widen and improve it before the monsoon,’’ said A Ghan, executive engineer, in charge of the road project. The MMRDA also plans to further extend the link so that it connects to the Eastern Freeway. Ghatkopar BJP MLA Prakash Mehta said the link would ease the movement of traffic from east to west. “At present, people from Ghatkopar (E) have to go to Amar Mahal Junction and take a Uturn to get to Powai and the JVLR. This adds to the traffic jam at the busy junction,’’ he said. The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 300 crore, said Ghan. “We plan to complete the stretch up to Shreyas Junction before the monsoon sets in,’’ Ghan added.

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