After a wait of seven years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally chalked out a plan to connect the Jogeshwari-Vikroli Link Road (JVLR) and New Link Road. The stretch will be connected through a 900 metre long bridge that will start at the SV Road intersection with JVLR, and connect to the New Link Road near Infinity Mall in Andheri.
Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of K-West ward said, “Around 600 metre area of the 900 metre area required for the work is already in the possession of the BMC. Of the remaining 300 metres, around 150 metres is with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). We are already in touch with them with regards to rehabilitation of affected persons,” said Gaikwad.
K-west ward has already started clearing the stretch for the project, which is expected to shorten the travel time by around half an hour for motorists going towards JVLR or Eastern Urban Road from New Link Road.
The reason for the delay is believed to have been encroachments along this stretch. According to an official, after clearing the stretch and acquiring the land, the BMC will float tenders. “The land acquisition and removing of encroachment will be completed by January 2018,” said Gaikwad, adding that around 563 units have to be removed. “We have already demolished around 50 structures,” added Gaikwad.
As per the plan, initially, a 36.6 metre wide proposed road will be constructed. He added that a bridge has also been planned that will come up later.
Analysis
The long awaited project will help to connect Lokhandwala, Juhu and other western suburbs to the eastern suburbs directly. The travel time using the JVLR to reach the eastern suburb will also come down by around 30 minutes.
