MMRDA targets ₹167-cr for road upgrades

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned an underground two-level road and widening of the existing flyover to ease traffic movement on the Western Express Highway (WEH) for ₹167 crore. Traffic congestions are a routine matter on the highway connecting the international and domestic airports affecting travellers going to airport and vice versa. MMRDA Commissioner RA Rajeev informed that it is a vital project to decongest the existing traffic as currently, commuters have to face traffic congestion which consumes their precious time. At the international (Terminal 2) and domestic (Terminal 1) junctions during peak hours, the traffic is more than 10,000 passengers car unit (PCU). Therefore, it was suggested by the consultants that a grade-separated underpass should be developed so that traffic from T2 to Bandra side moves at grade and some vehicles take the slip road, and long-distance traffic takes the flyover. Due to the short weaving distance between the left turn point and the flyover, it becomes congested. Hence, direct underpass ramp is being provided at level 1, slip road traffic will take a left turn at grade and direct movement through an underpass ramp at 2 levels. Traffic from Bandra to the domestic airport experiences delays due to traffic signal and high volume and to do away with this, an underpass has been proposed for the same. The underpass will be of a 4-metre height to provide movement of two-wheelers, cars and autos while bigger vehicles will move at grade.