The newly inaugurated two-lane one-way flyover at Vile Parle on the Western Express Highway (WEH) is expected to significantly ease traffic along the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Domestic Terminal (T1) Junction. The T1 Junction is infamous for being choked by vehicles during peak hours, leading to prolonged disruptions in traffic. The inauguration of the flyover has finally opened up a new and effective route to ease the movement of traffic headed towards Bandra from the International Airport T2, thereby preventing traffic congestion, reducing pollution, and promoting passenger safety on the WEH.
The flyover is 790 metres long, including the length of the approaches. It covers a width of 8m and extends between Nandgiri Guest House and Sai Baba Mandir, Bhajiwadi to accommodate the Bandra-bound traffic from International Airport T2. Moreover, the flyover is strategically positioned on the WEH at the parallel end of the Juhu-Vile Parle elevated flyover.
The construction of the flyover witnessed the implementation of various innovative procedures, including the use of steel and Pre-Stressed Concrete (PSC) girders. The spans, that are 74m (46 m + 28 m) in length, were launched using the groundbreaking technique called the inverted T arrangements. This technique permitted the launch of the steel and PSC girders in the complete absence of temporary supports, promising a notable reduction in traffic disruptions.
Moreover, the reduced length and the controlled height of the flyover ensures limited use of land, which in turn, limits the necessity for land acquisitions and reduces the flyover’s land footprint. Furthermore, the innovative design enhances its aesthetic appeal, in addition to making it less intrusive and cost-effective.
“This year is off to a great start for the state of Maharashtra, especially for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with the inaugurations, as well as the ceremonial beginnings, of various infrastructural marvels. Our government stands together with the MMRDA as a consistent source of guidance and encouragement in its noble mission to transform the urban infrastructure of the MMR, every step of the way,” Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said.
“The MMR’s future is in better hands with MMRDA, and every feat achieved in the name of the MMR will benefit the citizens of Maharashtra, in one way or another. So, I am elated to have lent my guidance to the inauguration of this wonderful flyover that will bring innumerable benefits to Mumbaikars by reducing the adverse effects of traffic congestion on the WEH,” he had said.
The flyover will help streamline the movement of traffic from the T2 Junction to Bandra. In particular, the new flyover will end the conflict of traffic from the ‘T2 Terminal’ to Bandra and traffic from Andheri to the T1 Terminal/Vile Parle.
Moreover, the intersections that lie beneath the WEH will be decongested, paving the way for better connectivity, reduced travel durations, and limited fuel consumption. A smoother facilitation of traffic is expected alongside a reduction in signal times, and the capacity of the traffic moving from International Airport T2 to Bandra will also be expanded.
According to Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner, MMRDA: “Our commitment to integrating the fruits of innovation with the indomitable ideal of sustainability has helped us in many ways to enforce our vision dedicated to the people of the MMR. This vision of MMRDA promises a sustainable future for the MMR’s residents, and our recent accomplishments are testaments to the fact that this future will arrive sooner rather than later. The flyover on the WEH continues to add meaning to the legacy of MMRDA by incorporating innovation and sustainability in its design and implementation. The inauguration of this one-of-a-kind flyover motivates us to embrace even more innovative directions in the forthcoming years to empower the future of the MMR.”
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