The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has started work on a 2.5-km-long flyover from Vithalwadi to Palm Hotel, a crucial link for residents of Kalyan and nearby cities.
The MMRDA has commenced geotechnical investigation work for the project and a comprehensive assessment will delve into the physical properties of the soil and rocks along the proposed routes.
With construction of this elevated flyover, traffic coming to Kalyan from Ulhasnagar and Ambarnath will be diverted from the main city through the elevated flyover via Birla College Road. Traffic on three flyovers in Kalyan – Waldhuni Rail Flyover, Shahad Rail Flyover and F Cabin Rail Flyover – will be decongested, providing much-needed relief to commuters. “Once the elevated flyover is completed, travel time for commuters on the route will reduce from 40 to five minutes,” said Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde.
The project costs Rs 700 crore, for which MMRDA has given a contract to a private company that has now finally started work. An MMRDA official said KDMC acquired 70% of the land for the project, and the process of land acquisition on the remaining portion is ongoing. If all goes as planned, the elevated flyover work will be completed in 30 months.
Jagdish Kore, executive engineer, KDMC, said, “At present, people going from Ulhasnagar and Ambarnath via Kalyan towards Nashik, Mumbai, and Thane pass through Waldhuni or Shahad rail flyover, due to which this flyover remains crowded. Once the new flyover is built, traffic will reduce on these flyovers, and also on Kalyan-Murbad Road.”
