Two-km extension may link Eastern Freeway to Eastern Express Highway

MUMBAI: Minutes after chief minister Prithviraj Chavan inaugurated the final phase of the Eastern Freeway, from Panjarpol to Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road on Monday, MMRDA commissioner U P S Madan said the16.59-km dedicated corridor could be extended by another 2 km. "We plan to take it right up to the Eastern Express Highway and are waiting for coastal/environmental clearances," he said. The EFW, which was thrown open to public around 6pm, is expected to cater to 65,000 vehicles daily. The extension is being proposed as motorists getting off the freeway currently face a traffic snarl on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road.

On Monday, Chavan inaugurated two vital links in the city's commute — the last stretch of the EFW and the Kherwadi flyover. "The Kherwadi flyover will save 20 minutes taken to negotiate the signal at Bandra," he said. He promised that the northern arm of the flyover will be completed in eight months.

But motorists complained of inconvenience as a pandal put up for the Kherwadi flyover's inauguration was not removed till late at night. "South-bound traffic was very heavy and worsened when the pandal wasn't removed even by 9pm," a motorist said. Traffic police officials said they managed to unclog one-and-a-half lanes and allowed vehicles. However, Dilip Kawathkar, MMRDA spokesperson, said, "The pandal was occupying just one lane of the flyover and motorists were allowed to use the remaining lanes. We do not think it caused any inconvenience."

Chavan said the EFW, along with the Metro and Monorail, will end Mumbaikars' traffic woes in the suburbs and the island city. We expect motorists from as far as Pune and Nashik to benefit from the EFW," he said.

The CM said the government's next big plan was the coastal road project and the proposal is now with the Centre. "We will reclaim the sea near Marine Drive and introduce aesthetic architecture to make it an attraction for tourists as well. It will cost one-sixth of the Bandra-Worli sealink," he stated.

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