<div>The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), has cleared a proposal to provide Mumbai’s premier central business district (CBD) of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with an elevated corridor that will connect the BKC with the Eastern Express Highway (EEH). The approved project cost for the elevated corridor has been fixed at Rs 155.7 crore. <br /><br />The 1.6-kilometer elevated road approved by MMRDA’s executive committee will provide a dedicated connector to commuter traffic emerging from eastern suburbs like Chembur and Thane who use the Eastern Express Highway. The BKC has currently just one modern, multi-lane road from the Western side with an approach from Bandra. Those commuting from the East have to battle narrow, overcrowded lanes through the suburb of Kurla to enter the BKC. <br /><br />The project is also expected to provide seamless connectivity between Western and Eastern Suburbs, and the expected travel time to the BKC will be reduced by 30 minutes and distance by 3 km, the MMRDA has claimed in a release. Traffic snarls currently causing congestion in Sion and Dharavi areas are also likely to be reduced. <br /><br />The MMRDA is the planning authority for the development of the extended 4,355 sq kilometer Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) that consists of 7 municipalities that include several satellite towns. The MMRDA, in addition, directly administers the BKC area as a civic body. <br /><br />In recent months, Mumbai’s serious problems of East-West connectivity have been substantially reduced with the opening of the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and the 11-kilometer Metro Rail line that runs from Andheri West to Ghatkopar. Earlier, the east-west 6-lane connector between Jogeshwari and Vikroli has also eased traffic woes. <br /><br />The BKC will host Mumbai’s first International Convention Centre being constructed by the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Group. Better connectivity will add to the growth and prestige of the business layout, it is expected. The proposed elevated connector will start from G-Block in BKC and after crossing Mithi river, LBS Marg, and the Central Railway track pass through Somaiyya Trust Ground to join the Eastern Express Highway.<br /><br />The construction period of the project is of 3 years and the construction likely to commence soon, an MMRDA spokesperson has said. <br /> <br /><br /> </div>
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Gurbir Singh is an award-winning senior journalist with over 30 years experience. He has worked for BW Businessworld since 2008, and is currently its Executive Editor. His experience ranges from covering 'Operation Bluestar' in 1984 to pioneering coverage of the business of Media & Entertainment and Real Estate for The Economic Times.
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