Mumbra bypass opens today after missing two deadlines
THANE: The long-awaited Mumbra bypass repair work has been completed and the road will be thrown open to the public on Monday.
Though it was previously announced that the bypass would be reopened in two months after the repair work started, the deadline was extended twice.
The renovated stretch is expected to ease major traffic congestion along the Eastern Express Highway, Mumbainasik highway, Mumbra, and Shilphata among other surrounding areas.
The bypass was closed in May for repairs and the reopening will take place at the hands of Chandrakant Patil, minister of public works department, Maharashtra state.
OFFICIALSPEAK
“The repair process has been completed, hence the minister will visit the Mumbra bypass on Monday morning to throw it open for commuters,” said Aniruddha Ashtaputre, district information officer, Thane.
“Mumbra bypass is ready to reopen after its repair work. The bearings of the bridge have been replaced, six deck slabs have been changed and the subsidised part of the bypass has also been repaired.
“The whole stretch has been reconstructed into concrete in a bid to resolve the potholes issues on this road,” said a senior official from Public Works Department.
“However, 10%-15% of the work which includes finishing and placing rainwater pipes is remaining which can be carried simultaneously even after the reopening of the bypass,” said the official.
Due to the closure of the bypass since May 8, traffic flow was badly affected in Thane, Kalyan, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai.
Though the traffic department initiated various measures to curb the congestion, they did not prove to be very helpful.
RESIDENTSPEAK
“The reopening of the bypass will definitely help in resolving the traffic issue, as after closure of the same, locals and the regular commuter had to face heavy traffic congestion and had to take longer routes to reach their destinations,” said Pratik Sawant, 28, a local commuter from Kalyan.
“Traffic congestion became a major concern after the bypass was shut as even heavy vehicles which typically use that route were diverted to other roads connecting to Thane and Kalyan. However, after the reopening congestion in the surrounding areas will decline,” said Prashant Badhe, 33, a commuter from Thane.