In a respite from traffic snarls for more than 50,000 commuters, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Wednesday opened the Halav Bridge in Kurla to motorists.

The Halav Bridge is a part of the Old Agra Road and runs perpendicular to the CST road, which connects Kalina junction to the Kurla Depot.

The new bridge is 45-metre long and 11-metre wide. Earlier, motorists on the Old Agra Road had to exit to the CST road to go ahead, as the connecting Halav Bridge had been demolished. This created traffic jams on the portion of the CST road that runs under the bridge.

The Halav Bridge was originally 12-metre in length, but had to be demolished in 2011 for the widening of the CST road
as part of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) project.

“We have now opened the bridge to commuters. Now, there will be no issue of traffic congestion under the bridge, since commuters using the Old Agra road will not have to use the CST road.  

Interestingly, the reopening of the bridge was a low-key event.

“It is welcome move by the MMRDA to open the bridge immediately after its completion, without much fanfare,” said RTI activist Anil Galgali.

MMRDA has spent Rs. 9.51 cr-ore for construction of the bridge.