MTHL pocketed, MMRDA eyes Ghatkopar-KK link rd

While the state public works department (PWD) is ready with the feasibility report of a third connecting link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the officials of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have also shown keen interest in taking the project ahead. This has been seen as another ‘snatch’ by MMRDA, headed by the congress chief minister, from PWD, headed by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). 

The proposed 2km long link will be constructed between the existing Vashi creek bridge and the Airoli bridge, which at the moment connects the city with Navi Mumbai. According to a senior PWD official, this project was conceived a few years back while the expansion of the Sion-Panvel highway was under consideration. “The proposed road starts at Ghatkopar on the Eastern Express Highway and ends at Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai.

This road, once constructed will ease a lot of pressure on the existing links. Moreover, those who wish to go to Navi Mumbai will find this alternative time-saving,” said the official. 

However, there may be the usual glitch of who will execute the project? According to sources in the PWD, after the department got a favourable reply from the consultants appointed for the project, MMRDA came into picture. “We have received a letter from the authority asking us whether they will be given the responsibility to carry out the project,” said a PWD senior official. Responding to the query, MMRDA chief engineer SR Nandargikar told DNA that the authority has made a query with the state PWD. “Since this is a project within the MMR, we have asked the PWD whether they would hand it over to us,” said Nandargikar. He also said that the final decision in this aspect is to be taken by the state government.