Thane’S Highway Upgrade: A Solution For Bhiwandi’S Congested Roads?

Thane’s traffic woes may soon be alleviated with the ongoing expansion of the Vadpe-Majiwada stretch of the Old Mumbai-Nashik Highway. The project aims to revamp this 23.8 km stretch into a modern eight-lane highway, complete with two-lane service roads on either side, and features ten strategically placed underpasses to ease congestion, reported Indian Express.

According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), these underpasses are a critical part of the plan to tackle the persistent traffic snarls caused by heavy commercial vehicles from Bhiwandi’s sprawling warehouses. With goods trucks clogging the highway daily, commuters face severe delays and frustration.

The ten underpasses, set for completion by May, will be located at key points including Walshin, Sonale, Kharegaon, Yewali Flyover, Saravali, Pimplas, Ovali, Mankoli Motagaon, Dive Gaon near the Petrol Pump, and Dive. These new underpasses, spanning 8 km, are expected to greatly improve traffic flow and reduce the gridlock that often chokes this vital stretch of road.

In addition to the underpasses, the project also includes the construction of major bridges and flyovers, including the Kasheli Creek Bridge (817.5 meters), Kalwa Creek Bridge (199 meters), Vadpe Flyover (320 meters), and a Railway Bridge (84.15 meters).

This upgrade is complemented by the nearing completion of the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway, which will connect Igatpuri to Thane. The final 76-km stretch of this 701-km project will include a 4.2-km spur linking to the under-construction Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway. Set to finish by the end of January, this spur will drastically reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg’s engineering marvel includes a challenging six-story-high slope, where controlled blasting has been used to level the terrain. With 98% of the work complete, this connection will further enhance connectivity and reduce traffic on the Old Mumbai-Nashik Highway.

Both the Samruddhi Mahamarg and the Vadpe-Majiwada highway expansion are expected to not only ease congestion but also boost economic activity. The high-speed design and planned amenities are set to improve commuter convenience while driving economic growth along the corridor. MSRDC officials believe these projects will play a pivotal role in the region’s transportation and economic future.