Peddar Road flyover project changes hands, to be funded, built by the BMC

The ambitious Pedder road flyover project, which was planned to curb traffic congestion, faced opposition from the residents and the state government nearly scrapped it.

The ambitious Pedder road flyover project, which was planned to curb traffic congestion, faced opposition from the residents and the state government nearly scrapped it.

The project has now been taken over by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from the Maharashtra State Road and Development Corporation (MSRDC). Changes will be made to the MSRDC’s design and two flyovers at Haji Ali and Cadbury junctions will be built.

The official orders from the state government were received by the bridges department of the BMC around a fortnight ago.

The initial plan was to construct a flyover between Lala Lajpatrai College near Haji Ali and Wilson College at Girgaum Chowpatty. The BMC will, however, focus on reducing the traffic on the junctions and construct flyovers at the traffic islands.

If sources are to be believed, the decision to hand over the project to the BMC and the funding be done by the civic body was made in an empowered committee meeting led by the chief secretary. The Pedder Road flyover project has a coastal regulation zone clearance from the Union environment ministry.

A civic official, on condition of anonymity, said, “The authorities have asked us to take over the project. The length of the flyover has now been cut down and two flyovers on two junctions are to be constructed. The civic body will be able to do it. Even if we do not have budget provisions for this project, it can be added next year as this year will go in planning the project.”

The civic body will prepare a detailed project report and then work on the design of the flyovers. Officials said building the flyovers over the traffic junctions has been part of a plan to east traffic in the western suburbs and the same could be applied even in the island city.

The plans to reduce the length of the Peddar Road flyover from the proposed 4.2 kms to one km were discussed by the state authorities, citing difficulties in construction work.