Traffic woes to continue for Andheri residents

Sources say that pending work on the Metro rail has forced MMRDA-MMOPL to extend the closure of JP Road that was to be reopened by July

Sources say that pending work on the Metro rail has forced MMRDA-MMOPL to extend the closure of JP Road that was to be reopened by July
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There appears to be no respite for locals and motorists from commuting woes that were introduced with the construction of the Metro rail at Andheri West.

Due to the ongoing Metro rail work on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor at Andheri West, J P Road has been cordoned off for motorists

There is a strong possibility that the 500 metre-stretch between Four Bungalows and the Indian Oil Junction on JP Road, that was closed in May for the construction of the Metro car depot, will continue to remain shut for public use in the coming year too, as the work on this stretch is yet to be completed.

Ever since the Metro rail project was initiated in Andheri, the traffic woes of the locals have gone from bad to worse.

Official word
When contacted, MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawathkar said, "We will check with MMOPL (Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd) to see why the road has not been reopened, and will instruct them to complete the work at the earliest and reopen the road, so that motorists are no longer inconvenienced."
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However, sources from within the MMRDA revealed that motorists would have to face traffic woes in the coming year too, as there is plenty to be done. Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY, an MMOPL spokesperson said, "The work on the stretch is being carried out on a war footing and will be completed soon."

Forcing a detour
As this important section of the eastbound road towards Andheri is closed, traffic flowing in from Seven Bungalows and Lokhandwala Complex has been diverted via Laxmi Industrial Estate, compelling motorists to go all the way to Juhu Circle and then reach Andheri via Juhu Galli.

Though it was clearly mentioned on the signboards installed at the Four Bungalows Junction by MMRDA-MMOPL that the road would be closed only for two months, travellers had assumed that delay was inevitable, but not to this extent.

Resident speaks
Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY, Sujit Sonkar, a Lokhandwala resident, said, "It has been over six months, but the MMRDA-MMOPL are yet to reopen the J P Road. It appears that they are least bothered about the inconvenience caused to commuters."