New infra projects will ensure better connectivity in Mumbai metropolitan Region: Fadnavis

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that his government is aiming at seamless connectivity throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which will be ensured by the recent spate of projects that have been taken up. The statement was made at a public meeting held at Airoli, following the inauguration of multiple infrastructure projects in the city.

Among those who were present at the meeting were PWD and Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde, ,edical education and IT minister Ravindra Chavan, MP Rajan Vichare, MP Kapil Patil, Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre, Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik, MLA Kisan Katore, MLA Subhash Bhoir, MLA Narendra Pawar, MLC Narendra Patil, Navi Mumbai mayor Jaywant Sutar, and MMRDA commissioner R A Rajeev.

On Monday, he inaugurated the Ghansoli-Talavli flyover, the flyover along Mahape-Savita Chemicals junctions, the underpass at Mahape, and the Kopri rail overbridge, in addition to performing the bhumi pujan for the Airoli–Katai Naka elevated road project and tunnel work.

“It is a day of happiness and satisfaction that we have performed bhoomipujans and inaugurations for these projects,” Fadnavis said. “Traffic jams at Kopri have been a major problem for years. It is one of the busiest areas in MMR. The bridge at Kopri was long required and follow up was done over past several years. Unfortunately it did not happen previously.”

On the Airoli–Kalyan elevated road project, Fadnavis said, “The Unnat road and tunnel from Navi Mumbai to Kalyan will ensure smooth traffic movement. There is demand for more arms especially in MIDC area from the flyover. I hereby ask the MMRDA commissioner Rajeev to plan accordingly. It will be better if this is done during the present construction itself as it will prevent traffic snarls elsewhere.”

Asking for the work to be sped up, he said, “MMRDA engineers have done a good job with the flyovers inaugurated today. With the technology that is available now, I believe the flyovers should be completed in 12 months.”

Further, speaking about the work done by MMRDA officials, he said, “I have always believed MMRDA can make a big difference. Simply having fixed deposit in bank won’t help and so ₹1.5 lakh worth of projects have been taken up through MMRDA in the region. MMRDA earlier worked for a specific few regions, but now working for all part of MMR. In Thane itself, the projects undertaken all cost ₹50,000 crore.”

He went on to comment on the metro project: “160-km work has already begun. It will the largest metro network in India, and will be completed in two to three years. We are also working on integration of metro, mono rail, railway and bus so that one ticket will ensure seamless connectivity for passengers.”

The state is also working on introducing RoRo services, he added. “Container traffic from JNPT to Thane chokes the roads. We are conducting a feasibility study to divert container traffic through RoRo services.”

According to Fadnavis, “Thane will also be connected to Vasai and Virar through water transport. Thane commissioner has prepared a plan, which has been approved by central minister Nitin Gadkari. A proposal for a coastal road in Navi Mumbai from Airoli to Vashi and Vashi to Ulwe has been prepared by NMMC. The state government will study the proposal and take it up if feasible.”