The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) issued an expression of interest for the study of constructing a coastal road in Thane from Kharegaon to Anand Nagar Naka in Kopri.
It is expected to enable the smooth flow of vehicles coming from Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Nashik Expressway, Kalyan, and other areas.
The study will assess the feasibility and impact of the proposed project, which aims to connect Mumbai and Thane via a coastal road.
The study will also cover the project’s environmental impact, cost estimates, and design options and is anticipated to be completed in three months.
MMRDA has already increased the width of the Kopri overpass to eight lanes. On 9 February, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde opened the new facility.
The coastal road proposal was also discussed in an infrastructure committee headed by the Chief Minister. It will also require approval from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Council.
MMRDA metropolitan commissioner S V R Srinivas said, “The Thane coastal road is proposed. It will have six lanes and will connect Bhiwandi bypass. This project will involve some land acquisition as MMRDA will have to acquire private land. Some mangroves will be affected, ” reports Hindustan Times.
The MMRDA has also invited tenders to build a flyover connecting LBS road and Thane’s Naupada region in order to improve traffic flow in the city.
Currently, traffic from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust’s container port to western states goes through Thane. Furthermore, traffic from northern states and many northern regions of states passes through Thane.
The Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway, a greenfield project being built by the National Highway Authority of India, will reduce cargo traffic through Thane.