Traffic on the Eastern Express Highway and Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, in between Kurla and Sion, is expected to ease in three years as the MMRDA is expected to begin work on the BKC-Chunabhatti connector soon. The bhoomi pujan is likely around August 25, to beat the code of conduct for the assembly polls. MMRDA sources said, “But actual work will gain speed only after monsoon.“
Apart from ensuring better connectivity between BKC and the EEH, the project will ease traffic on the Sion-Dharavi Link Road and Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road. Both links are used by motorists to reach BKC or the Western Express Highway.
MMRDA had floated tenders for the project on March 2 before the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections. Gammon India, Simplex Infrastructure, J Kumar, L&T, and JMC Projects bid but a work order will be issued after finalization of the contractor at the MMRDA executive committee meeting.
MMRDA had planned to finalize bids by May 30 so that work could begin on June 30, but the process got delayed due to changes in design and queries from interested parties. A senior official said, “The project was estimated to cost Rs.261 crore but it was revised to Rs.203 crore. MMRDA had thought of a cable-stayed bridge over the Mithi but later decided on a bridge with pillars, which helped save cost.“
A bridge will also come up over CR Main and Harbour line tracks near Chunabhatti. The connector will originate at G Block, near the MMRDA building at BKC, and end at the Eastern Express Highway , near Somaiya Grounds, before the Sion flyover.
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