In order to boost connectivity of the 22-km-long under-construction Sewri-Nhava-Sheva Link, also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), and to connect it with south Mumbai and central suburbs, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned a 1.5-km-long elevated road that will connect MTHL directly with the Eastern Freeway, taking motorists seamlessly towards south Mumbai. The MMRDA will also build three ramps connecting RA Kidwai Marg and Acharya Donde Marg with the proposed Sewri-Worli elevated road.
The construction work on MTHL started earlier this year, and MMRDA feels construction of this elevated road will ensure motorists aren't stuck on existing service roads that create traffic jams and bottlenecks. This elevated road will be constructed before work on MTHL is completed by 2022.
An MMRDA official said, "Motorists from Navi Mumbai are usually traveling towards south Mumbai, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi or Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Having an elevated road that directly connects one to roads heading to these destinations would help one travel seamlessly, without exiting the freeway network and creating traffic chaos on other service roads."
"Further, in case of connecting MTHL via an elevated road to RA Kidwai Marg is for those going towards Wadala or BKC via Dharavi or Sion. In case of the Acharya Donde Marg connection, motorists can further travel towards Lower Parel or Prabhadevi, which is where a majority offices are located," the official added.
The MMRDA has also planned an elevated road connecting Sewri and Worli with the Bandra Worli Sea-Link (BWSL). "Having an inter-connected network will let people move from MTHL to the BWSL via an elevated road, which will be beneficial for those traveling towards the western suburbs," he said.
However, the elevated road will not be a part of the MTHL project, and a separate contractor will be appointed for this. The estimated cost of the proposed elevated road is currently being worked out. "The construction of an elevated road will also mean acquiring many structures, including buildings or tenants of the Mumbai Port Trust, or many slum dwellers," he added.
