Kopri Bridge lanes get ready for inauguration

THANE: The first phase of Kopri Rail Over Bridge (ROB) has been completed. The two additional lanes are ready to be inaugurated.

Despite the assurance to open the bridge by August this year, the last-minute beautification work is still going on. The Kopri Bridge is a vital link between Thane and Mumbai along the Eastern Express Highway and the two extra lanes will help ease out the traffic in the city..

“It is ready to be reopened. We only have certain beautification and lighting work going on. All the approvals are also in place. It will be opened shortly” said SVR Srinivas, MMRDA chief.

Meanwhile, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is awaiting a go ahead from the MMRDA authorities. “The bridge falls under MMRDA and we cannot take a call about its inauguration,” said Sandeep Malvi, additional

Kharghar will benefit from this Metro project as 7km stretch of Kharghar is along the Sion-Panvel Highway. Metro will reduce traffic congestion here. DINKAR SAMANT,

commissioner, TMC.

The girders of the bridge were laid down in January after which only the approach road was pending. However, in July, various political parties conducted inspection of these areas and noted that they were ready to be inaugurated. It was announced that within a month it would be opened for vehicles but commuters are still awaiting the launch.

The work will be undertaken in two phases. In the first phase, two new lanes were constructed on one side of the bridge. During the work, vehicular movement continued from the existing twolane bridge. In the second phase, the newly-constructed two lanes will be open for traffic and the MMRDA will demolish the existing two-lane bridge and construct a new one. The second phase is expected to be completed in nine months.

Thane city has been facing traffic snarls regularly with relaxations being implemented in the State post pandemic.