Study gets going for lengthening of Eastern Freeway

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated steps to extend the 17-km Eastern Freeway towards both the north and the south.
The Eastern Freeway today extends from Orange Gate on P D’Mello Road in the south to the Indian Oil junction on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road in the north.
“We asked the consultants to prepare the alignment for the extension at both the ends,” metropolitan commissioner UPS Madan said.“The report is likely to be in within two months.”
At the south end, the Freeway will be extended by 1 km, up to GPO junction. “Beyond that the road width is not enough,” Madan said.
In the northern direction, the Eastern Freeway will be extended to pass through Ramabai Colony, a slum pocket, and culminate on the Eastern Express Highway. “There are some environment hurdles, but we may approach the environment ministry if the alignment is found to be technically feasible,” Madan said.
Many slum redevelopment projects are under way in Ramabai Colony. The MM- RDA expects enough width set aside for roads, through which the the elevated corridor shall be built. The cost and length will be worked out by the consultants.
The Central Railway (CR), too, has plans to shift the Harbour line corridor from the west side of CST. It plans to run Harbour line services from the newly built platforms along the P D’Mello Road up to Dockyard Road station. The consultant will also take into account the requirement of the CR as the Harbour line is being shifted to make space for the laying of the fifth and six lines between CST and Kurla.
“The extension work in the south will help decongest P D’Mello Road between Orange Gate and GPO,” an MMRDA official said. “It will ensure faster entry and exit. In the north, vehicles going to Thane and beyond will be able to avoid the Chedda Nagar junction.”