Hurdle for Durgadi to Titwala ring road cleared

KDMC claims work on 16-km stretch in final stages; trees on the stretch cut, drainage work on

KALYAN: The hurdle along the 600m stretch on the 16km road from Durgadi to Titwala, a part of the ring road, has been resolved, said Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

This means that 16km out of the total 30km road will soon be ready for use. The MMRDA is developing a ring road from Dombivli to Titwala via Kalyan, which will be an alternative to the existing Shilphata Road.

Sapna Koli, city engineer, KDMC, said, “The work on the 16km is in the final stages. The widening of the 600m stretch from Vadavli River to Atali was stuck due to protest from local and opposition to tree cutting.”

Last week, the work of cutting the trees along this stretch and the work of the drainage line for this stretch was initiated by the KDMC officials, MMRDA and local police.

“To compensate the trees that are cut on this stretch, KDMC had planted 15,000 trees at Ambivli hills. The compensation to the farmers on the stretch has also been released,” said an officer of KDMC.

The most-awaited ring road project, though, is being undertaken by the MMRDA, the KDMC is helping in land acquisition and demolition of structures along the way. The said project will affect a total of 850 structures, which include shops, farm lands and residential buildings.

The work on the ring road was undertaken in 2014. The road will be constructed in four phases and benefit lakhs of people who travel within KalyanDombivli. Presently, the Kalyan Shilphata road that is used to connect Kalyan-Dombivli and Titwala is the most congested.

The work for the second phase on the 14km stretch from Titwala to Dombivli will be undertaken by the MMRDA simultaneously, as the tender process is under way.

An officer from MMRDA said,

“There are still some houses to be razed at Umbarde, Kolivli and the closure of Adharwadi dumping ground. The KDMC is working on these issues.”

Harshal Shinde, 36 and who resides in Khadakpada, Kalyan, said, “During peak hours, it is very difficult to commute as most routes have heavy traffic flow. Connecting Kalyan and Dombivli is also not easy as one has to take the busy lanes. The ring road will be a direct link.”