Mumbai’s Chheda Nagar Junction, a notorious traffic bottleneck on the Eastern Express Highway, is set to receive much-needed relief with the anticipated opening of the new south-north flyover by October.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is spearheading this initiative as part of a broader improvement project aimed at alleviating persistent traffic congestion in the area. With more than 60,000 vehicles navigating the Chheda Nagar junction each day, the need for infrastructural enhancements has been evident. The Chheda Nagar flyover project, which began in 2017, is a critical component of this effort. The new 680-meter-long flyover will connect the southern stretch of the junction to the northern side, enhancing traffic flow from Amar Mahal to Vikhroli.
The project has seen several phases of development. Notably, an elevated road linking the existing north-south flyover to the Amar Mahal flyover was inaugurated in March 2022. Subsequently, another flyover, extending from the Indian Oil Corporation on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) to the Thane-bound lanes, was opened in April 2023. These earlier phases have already contributed to improved traffic management, but the upcoming flyover promises to significantly further ease congestion.
According to MMRDA officials, over 95% of the construction work on the new flyover has been completed. The remaining work involves laying the asphalt on the flyover surface, a process dependent on favourable weather conditions. “We are awaiting a prolonged dry spell to proceed with the asphalt laying. We are optimistic that the flyover will be fully operational by October,” stated the metropolitan commissioner. Chheda Nagar Junction has been a significant chokepoint, with commuters frequently experiencing delays of 20 to 30 minutes, particularly on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road and the Eastern Express Highway, especially for those travelling towards Thane. The new flyover is expected to mitigate these delays, offering a smoother, more efficient route for thousands of daily commuters.
