Ghodbunder Road in Thane to get 10 foot overbridges

Alarmed by the frequent mishaps involving pedestrians on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Thane, the state government has decided to build 10 foot overbridges (FOB) along the strategic points on the 20-km stretch.

Alarmed by the frequent mishaps involving pedestrians on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Thane, the state government has decided to build 10 foot overbridges (FOB) along the strategic points on the 20-km stretch.

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Ghodbunder Road, also the state highway no. 42, is one of the major roads leading out of the city and connecting to the Eastern Express Highway.

Over the past few years, a large number of fatal accidents involving pedestrians have occurred along the stretch. So, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to construct 10 FOBs on a built-operate-transfer basis. The FOBs that are likely to cost Rs11 crore will come up at the R Mall, Tatvagyan Vidyapeeth, Bramhand Chowk, Muchhala Polytechnic, Kasarvadavali, Ovala, Bhayander Pada, Gaimukh Junction, Chena Village and Fountain Hotel.

“Taking the number of accidents along this stretch into account, we have decided to construct FOBs to ensure pedestrian safety,” said Bipin Shrimali, vice-chairman and managing director, MSRDC.

In the past too, attempts have been made to build FOBs. However, with the pedestrians preferring crossing the roads to climbing the flight of stairs, none of these projects, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s plan to build FOBs on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road have taken off.

So, the MSRDC will install escalators on the FOBs.