In a boost to connectivity, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to extend the currently under-construction Bandra-Kurla Complex-Chunabhatti elevated road till Wadala.

The authority aims to open the BKC-Chunabhatti connector by June-end. It will cut down the travel time for motorists to 10 minutes from 30 minutes. The earlier deadline for the connector was April 2018, which was delayed to December 2018. The 1.6-km connector starts at G-block at BKC and ends near Somaiya grounds on the eastern express highway.

MMRDA is the special planning authority for Wadala and has been looking at developing the area on the lines of BKC for a long time. RA Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA said, “We are looking at connecting the two hubs [BKC and Wadala] with this corridor.”

The idea is to extend the arm from Chunabhatti area on the eastern express highway till Wadala as an elevated corridor. MMRDA is, however, yet to look at the landing at Wadala and the extra cost to be borne.

According to a plan released by the authority in 2018, MMRDA wants to developing Wadala commercially and also include residential properties in the plan. It aims to make way for the retail sector, restaurants, hotels, public open spaces and serviced apartments in the area. By doing this, MMRDA hopes to introduce over 92,000 jobs in the next three decades.

Wadala is also fast-developing as a transport hub owing to its proximity to the eastern freeway, eastern express highway, the monorail and the upcoming Metro-4 corridor that will connect Wadala to the neighbouring city of Thane.

Vipul Bondal, a resident of Wadala and a member of the Wadala East Residents’ Association, said, “It is a great move, especially for people from south Mumbai who want to reach BKC. Currently, people taking the freeway have to take the Santacruz-Chembur Link road to reach BKC. This will be a good alternative.”

First Published: Feb 12, 2019 00:40 IST