dna exclusive: Peddar Road flyover plan scrapped, finally

Controversial Peddar Road flyover has been shelved by the state government. The reason behind this move is obviously pressure from the residents of this downtown area as well as plans to have a coastal road from south Mumbai to Kandivli.

"Now there is no need for Peddar Road flyover, if coastal road is executed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corproation. Now, we can say that the project is scrapped," said a senior government official.

Conceived in the year 2000, the plan to have a 4.1km bridge in Peddar Road from Girgaum Chowpatty to Haji Ali Junction has witnessed various flip-flops and stiff opposition from the residents, including Indian Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar, with the state aggressively trying to execute the project.

Owing to the opposition and subsequent protests by locals, the cost of the project had risen from Rs160 crore in 2009 to Rs380 crore till the last assessment.

According to government authorities, the coastal road project would solve the purpose of providing additional road lanes so that the North-South moving traffic does not create congestion, especially during peak hours. Since the residents of western suburbs are opposed to the Nariman Point-Kandivli coastal road in their area, the state government is contemplating to opt for a sea link between Vesova and Bandra.

The flyover project, being looked after by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), had received Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance in October 2014. Thereafter, the residents moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the clearance given to the project.

In all, six companies were in the fray in 2014 to construct the Rs380-crore worth flyover. The bidders included Gammon, GMC, Simplex, J Kumar, L&T and IL&FS.

To date, two public consultations have been held, one in March 2008 and the other in July 2011, and both had their share of disruptions. Thereafter, to voice their opinion once again, Pedder Road residents had been demanding another round of hearing, for which there was a plan to have online opinion poll. However, that will not be needed now.

The Peddar Road viaduct would have bypassed 10 signal posts, thereby reducing travelling time for Mumbaikars. During rush hours, it takes around 45 minutes from Haji Ali Junction to Girgaum Chowpatty and vice versa.

The service levels are in the 'E Category' that is speed of 17 kmph, whereas, after construction of the Pedder Road viaduct, the service levels would have been improved to 'D Category' with 40 kmph speed.

Kemps Corner bridge won't be razed

As the Peddar Road bridge plan has now been shelved, Mumbai's first flyover, Kemps Corner bridge, will not have to make room. There were plans to demolish this bridge, which was built in April 1964-65 and inaugurated on April 14, 1965. However, now will continue to clock many more years. Last year, it completed half a century of its existence.