The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Region (MMRDA) will spend Rs 1,113 crore for widening of roads and construction of flyovers in the metropolitan region.

This was decided at the 129th meeting of the MMRDA, chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, who is also the Chairman of the authority.

The project includes construction of five flyovers – two in Kalyan at Rajnoli Junction and Mankoli Junction, one in Bhiwandi at Vanjarpatti and two in Thane at Mumbra Junction and Shil Phata.

MMRDA will also take up quadrupling of the Arnala-Virar-Kaner-Shirsad-Ambadi State Road and Padgha-Vishind Road; Kalyan-Badlapur-Karjat-Hal Phata State Road and the Karjat to Chowk State Road.

State roads from Katai Naka to Badlapur and NH 8 to Nalasopara-Nirmal will also be developed and widened.

Growth centre

“Easier and faster connectivity is crucial for the overall development of any region and the metropolitan region deserves the same as much as the city of Mumbai. This area is identified as a growth centre and to give it its due recognition, we need to put in all the efforts as far as road connectivity is concerned,” Mr Chavan said.

Objections and suggestions have been invited by the authority on the development plan for 27 villages in Kalyan and Ambernath Talukas and 60 villages in Bhiwandi Taluka in Thane district. The areas are buzzing with commercial activity and efforts are on to transform them into growth centres.

Locals participation

MMRDA has also decided to hold a public consultation programme to develop the Uttan-Gorai-Manori area into a tourist destination. “We have considered various facets such as environmental sensitivity, tourism potential, seashores, hilly areas, mangroves and water bodies. However, before finalising such crucial plans participation of locals and sustaining their livelihood cannot be lost sight of,” Mr Chavan said.

MMRDA also approved installation of noise barriers on all roads and flyovers built by it. The decision was prompted by the successful installation of noise barriers in the Bandra-Kurla Complex where noise levels have dropped to about 60 decibels from 75 decibels.

Noise pollution

Studies indicate that noise pollution can affect concentration, bring down creativity and also cause internal strife resulting in ailments such as blood pressure. And with the swelling number of vehicles, such precautionary measures become obligatory, he added.

The implementation of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Project on public-private partnership basis by MMRDA was also agreed to on the occasion.

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