Finally, Mumbaikars can go for a hurdle-free drive between Orange Gate in south Mumbai to Panjarpol in Chembur in just 20 minutes, with the Eastern Freeway being thrown open to motorists on Thursday.
The 13.59 kilometre-long stretch was inaugurated by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, accompanied by his deputy Ajit Pawar.
However, within hours of the inauguration ceremony, curious motorists lined up to get on the Eastern Freeway, resulting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. “It took me half an hour to reach Orange Gate from GPO and I was not allowed to use it. The police at the spot said that people can use the Freeway from Friday,” said Farhan Khan, a motorist.
The latest project will decongest Sion, Chembur and Dadar areas. By December, traffic at Chembur too is expected to reduce.
On Thursday, the first two parts of the project, namely the Eastern Freeway (9.29km) and Anik Panjarpol Link Road (4.3km) were opened to motorists, and in December, the under-construction Panjarpol-Ghatkopar Link Road (4.81km) too will be inaugurated.
The Mumbai traffic police released an order banning the entry of all kinds of heavy vehicles, as well as two and three-wheelers on the latest road network. Autos, tempos, and tricycles used by the handicapped fall under the three-wheeler category. Even handcarts and bullock-carts are banned. People are not even allowed to walk on the Freeway. Halting anywhere is not allowed and speed limit has to be maintained below 60kmph.
At the inauguration, Ajit Pawar did not let go of the opportunity to take a dig at the city’s skywalks, saying, “Skywalks are being used for jogging and hawking. A study should be conducted to see how many pedestrians actually use them.” He added, “We are trying to get financial aid from the Centre for projects being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Mumbai needs projects worth Rs68,725 crore.”
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