CM launches infra projects; WEH may get cycling track

Civic polls next year; projects include ground-breaking of Sewri-worli link, smart-parking and cycle track at BKC

MUMBAI: Ahead of the 2022 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday inaugurated many infrastructure projects, including one arm of Kalanagar junction towards the sea link, the ground-breaking ceremony of Sewri-worli connector, cycle track at Bandra-kurla Complex (BKC) and a smart-parking facility at the commercial complex.

Also, in a boost to non-motorised transport, Mumbai’s Western Express Highway (WEH) might soon get a cycle track, Mumbai’s suburban guardian and tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray said at the event.

Referring to his residence at Matoshree at Kalanagar, the CM said, “When we had shifted to Kalanagar way back, people used to ask us why we were shifting to this marshy area. Today, it is as important an area as Colaba.”

He added, “It is not like we are working only for elites. I am very proud of inaugurating a cycle track today. When you think of cycles, you think of Mumbai’s dabbawalas, who work hard through the day.”

Aaditya said the government would take up refurbishment of major arterial roads in the city such as Jogeshwari-vikhroli Link Road, Santacruz-chembur Link Road, LBS Marg, WEH and Eastern Express Highway.

“The main aim is to improve footpaths. In fact, in the next five years, all footpaths and pedestrian crossings in the city will be improved. Like BKC, we will also have cycle tracks along

WEH,” he said.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has currently undertaken refurbishment works along WEH.

Thackeray inaugurated one arm of Kalanagar flyover towards Bandra-worli Sea Link. According to MMRDA, 80% of the works on the sea link to BKC and Dharavi sea link part has also been completed. “The progress of the project was delayed owing to the pandemic. We were looking at completing the project in a year,” said RA Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

Rajeev also said that the 4.5-km Sewri-worli connector will prove to be a challenging project for MMRDA.

Aaditya said the connector would be three to nine levels above the ground at various levels. “At one portion, it will also go above the Mumbai mono- rail,” he said.

PRATIK CHORGE/HT PHOTO One arm of the Kalanagar flyover, which connects it to the Bandra-worli sea link, was inaugurated on Sunday.

ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, with his son and minister Aaditya (extreme right), public works minister Eknath Shinde (extreme left) and mayor Kishori Pednekar at the ground-breaking event of Sewri-worli elevated corridor at Worli on Sunday.