MMRDA plans new flyover at Ghatkopar, experts call it useless

The Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to build a new flyover on the Eastern Express Highway to decongest Ghatkopar junction.

The Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to build a new flyover on the Eastern Express Highway to decongest Ghatkopar junction.

MMRDA officials asserted that they have decided to take up the new flyover on the demand of local politicians. (HT Photo for Representation)

The new flyover will be built for traffic to Mumbai from Thane, adjacent to the existing one that is from Mumbai to Thane traffic.

The development, however, did not impress transport experts. They feel the new flyover will be of no use as currently there is no hindrance to Mumbai-bound traffic at Ghatkopar junction.

If one is coming from Thane, one can cross the junction, where three roads meet, without stopping at a traffic signal, using three separate lanes.

Those who want to go to Ghatkoper West can go right under the flyover.

MMRDA officials asserted that they have decided to take up the new flyover on the demand of local politicians.

“It is true that there is no traffic congestion on the Mumbai-bound side of the highway. However, we have decided to build the flyover after local politicians, including the sitting MP and MLA ,have asked for the new flyover citing traffic snarls during peak hours,” said a senior MMRDA official, who wished not to be named.

He asked for duplication of existing one-sided Sion flyover, where just three lanes are used for traffic going in both directions.

“There is absolutely no need to build a flyover at Ghatkopar junction. Instead, the second side of the Sion one should be constructed immediately in order to ease traffic congestion on the existing Sion flyover. We have been making this demand from the past many years. However, MMRDA has ignored it” said Damani.

A transport expert called the proposed flyover ‘useless’ and asked MMRDA to study the traffic pattern in the city first before planning flyovers.