Commuters suffer as projects overlap, alignments change

Mumbai: Over the years, Mumbai has seen an influx of several infrastructure projects to ease the commute of Mumbaikars, however, these projects also witnessed major changes in alignment at a very advanced change due to their overlapping with the other projects.

MMRDA had planned three flyovers to reduce the congestion at Kalanagar junction in Bandra (East) and the contract was awarded to Simplex Infrastructure. But the contractor could not commence the work, as ramp of one flyover which will connect the sea link to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), clashed with authority other project i.e. Metro 2B corridor (DN Nagar-Bandra-Mankhurd). Thus, in the end, the authorities had to change the plan, wherein both the corridors will now have common piers. The flyover will be the lower pier.  

The coastal road project which will  be implemented by the BMC also witnessed last minute alignment change wherein the project was trimmed from 33.2km to 29km. As per the initial alignment, the starting point of coastal road was decided as Nariman Point. This was changed to Princess Street in Marine Drive. The change was driven after it was found that the previous alignment was clashing with with the proposed MTHL (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link). The coastal road is expected to connect Marine Drive from South Mumbai to Kandivali in the western suburbs. Coastal road is expected minimize the commute time of Mumbaikars.

Plans again clashed between State’s Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet train and MMRDA’s International Finance Service Centre (IFSC). The terminal of the bullet train was decided to be on same plot of BKC wherein the MMRDA had planned to set up IFSC’s underground parking. MMRDA had suggested changing the alignment of the bullet train from BKC to Bandra terminus. However, it is yet to be decided that the plot will be given for the Bullet train or IFSC as there is an ongoing tussle between the MMRDA and railways over the land.