At present, traffic from North India passes through Thane and Bhiwandi via the Old Agra Road (SH-35 Thane-Bhiwandi Road) at Majiwada and the Mumbai-Nashik highway through Kalwa. The intersection of outbound and local traffic often leads to severe congestion. The new road is expected to help mitigate this issue.
According to the project details, the road and bridge will establish direct connectivity between Ghodbunder Road (Kasarvadavli) and Bhiwandi (Kharbao) via Major State Highway 4 (Chinchoti-Anjur Phata Road). The project will also connect with the Balkum-Gaimukh Coastal Road (Thane Coastal Road) and the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor, which will help ease traffic in Thane and surrounding areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The proposed road, which spans 3,930 metres with a 40-metre right of way, will feature a 4+4 lane configuration, a 60-metre-wide obligatory bridge with plate girders to cross the Balkum-Gaimukh DP Road, and a 100-meter basket bridge over Ulhas Creek. The design also integrates with the upcoming bullet train and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) near Kharbao station.
To minimize impact on the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, the interchange design includes a partial cloverleaf at the intersection of the project road and the multimodal corridor. MCZMA expressed concerns about mangrove cutting, as the project requires the diversion of 2.7 hectares of mangrove forest land. Expert members stressed the importance of complying with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, and the High Court's order, which mandates prior permission for projects affecting mangroves or their 50-meter buffer zones.
The project proponent has been instructed to minimize mangrove cutting and ensure compensatory plantation of mangroves over an area three times the size of the affected area. Additionally, a No Objection Certificate (NoC) must be obtained from the Mangrove Cell, and the project must adhere to other specified conditions.
