25 July,2023 09:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/BMC
After eight months and postponing tender dates four times, the BMC has finally finalised the contractor for the ambitious project of an elevated road connecting Dahisar-Bhayander. Amongst the three final bidders - M/S. Larsen and Toubro have secured a project work contract as the lowest bid winner.
"BMC aims to complete the project within the time period of four years. This link will be a signal-free, seamless travelling option. Dahisar-Bhayander Linking Road will help to complete the distance (distance of 5 Km) within a span of 10 minutes. This connectivity includes bridges, obligatory arch steel bridge and two interchanges at Dahisar and Bhayander ends as well," said I S Chahal, commissioner of the BMC.
This link will be the last part of the coastal road in Mumbai. The proposed elevated road link will start near Kandarpada Metro Station, Link Road, Dahisar (West) to Uttan Road near Subhash Chandra Bose Ground, Bhayander (West).
The tenders for the project were floated in October 2022. However, between March and July 2023, the deadline for this project was postponed more than four times.
"The road will be an additional mode of transport besides railway and highway. The road shall have a capacity of 75,000 vehicles per day reducing load on Dahisar toll plaza by 30 to 35 per cent," said P.Velarasu, additional commissioner of the BMC.
The proposed road of elevated structure has a total length of about 5.0 Km length, out of which about 1.5 km will be in BMC jurisdiction, whereas about 3.5 km road will be in MBCM jurisdiction. The elevated road shall be 45 meters wide with 4 X 4 lanes. Two Elevated roads/bridges of about each 18 meters wide with an in-between space of 9 meters in these two bridges. It shall be constructed on stilts.
The alignment of the project is passing through natural areas such as mangroves, creek areas, saltpan lands, etc. The successful bidder will have to obtain all necessary permissions from various authorities like CRZ, Salt Pan Commissioner, MoEF, CC, etc.
The estimated cost of work is Rs.1,998 crores (Including Operation and maintenance). The project is planned to be completed in 42 months.