MSRDC plans alternate route for Panvel flyover

Veda Ramaswamy, Panvel

May 21, 2011 - DNA Navi Mumbai

In the wake of the problems caused by hutments at the construction site of Panvel flyover, MSRDC in unison with MMRDA have devised an alternate route for the flyover. The estimated cost of the project is set to increase from Rs150 crore to Rs156 crore in advent of the change in route. A spot visit will be conducted by the DCP (traffic) Vijay Patil and ACP (traffic) Shrikant Dhivare on Friday to approve the plan.

The work of the 1.7 km long flyover, undertaken by JMC Projects (India) Ltd., began in November 2009. It had faced a lot of pitfalls since its commencement. The construction work had been divided into three stages- first phase constitutes construction near Garden Hotel, near the New Panvel signal, second phase begins from the New Panvel signal till Panvel ST Stand and the third phase begins from ST Stand till Takka village.

“There are around 150 slums in the flyover area due to which the flyover work is getting obstructed. We had conducted a cabin meeting with CIDCO where in it was decided that CIDCO would provide land for the rehabilitation of these hutments so that the work would carry on efficiently. But no action has been taken yet,” said SG Patankar, chief operating officer, Panvel Municipal Council.

“The rehabilitation of hutments is necessary for the flyover to be completely functional. Since the hutments haven’t been rehabilitated yet, an alternate route has been formulated as a solution to the problem. Earlier, there was a straight link between Ambedkar Junction and the Takka village. But now, a diversion will be created which would begin from the Hanuman Temple and end at Ambedkar Junction via Panacea Hospital,” said RK Mishra, sr DGM, JMC Projects.

This diversion is expected to increase the length of the flyover by 200-300 meters. “We are going to conduct a meeting tomorrow to analyse the consequences of the newly proposed diversion on traffic. Only then can we approve the plan,” said Shrikant Dhivare ACP (traffic). “I am not aware of this issue. I don’t have any details about it,” said Mohan Ninave, the chief PRO, CIDCO.

The work on Panvel flyover has been completed up to 50% and is expected to be completed by July 2012. The project is being funded by MMRDA and is being executed by MSRDC.