In the fifth plan on Kalanagar Junction Traffic Improvement Plan, and possibly the final plan, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has worked out a proposal to have three flyovers over the junction.
As per the latest plan, first flyover will begin near Reserve Bank of India offices, close to the exit of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) only to take a curve land at Kherwadi Junction. Another arm will commence between Dharavi 'T' Junction and Kalanagar Junction to merge with the flyover. "It will go above the existing Kalanagar flyover as a second deck," said UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.
The second bridge will cater to traffic from the exit of the business district towards Bandra Worli Sea Link, that is south Mumbai. Whereas, the third flyover will be constructed for entry of vehicles into BKC and coming from Bandra Worli Sea Link, this would mean bypassing existing traffic signals.
When asked about the need to demolish Bandra East Skywalk to make room for two bridges, Madan replied, "It is possible to go over skywalk." Bandra East Skywalk was the first one to be constructed by MMRDA, work on it had commenced on December 14, 2007 and inaugurated on June 24, 2008.
"Flyover option has been finalised due to cost factor. Underpasses are an expensive proposal. These three bridges should cost around Rs 250 crore," added Madan.
The earlier plan to decongest was a flyover and an underpass. Flyover was planned for traffic bound towards south Mumbai from Bandra Kurla Complex, while the underpass was to exit from the business district and head to western suburbs.
Prior to this, development body has been revising the plans with several combinations and permutations like mix of bridge and underpass, three underpasses, only flyovers, etc.
In the last five years, a plan was prepared by transport expert Ashok Datar's Mumbai Environment Social Network (MESN) which did not involve any flyover or underpass. The idea was to improve vehicle movement by way of redesigning the junction and having traffic discipline.
Later in December 2011, the MMRDA came up with a plan of having three short underpasses connecting Bandra Kurla Complex with Bandra Worli Sea Link, Sion Dharavi Road and Kherwadi.
But, due to high cost of the project, the plan was once again revised with a flyover and two underpasses. The 200-metre flyover was to bridge Western Express Highway with Sion Dharavi Link Road. Whereas the two underpasses were to be made between Income Tax Office - Bandra Worli Sea Link and Bandra Kurla Complex – Kherwadi Junction.
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