New Arm Bridge To Transform Thane-Belapur Road: How Will It Impact Koparkhairane And Ghansoli?

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is planning the construction of a new arm bridge that will connect the heavily trafficked Thane-Belapur Road directly to the Koparkhairane and Ghansoli nodes, according to Hindustan Times (HT). The project, estimated to cost Rs 24.23 crore, is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity for residents and motorists travelling between these areas.

Currently, motorists face challenges when accessing these nodes. The only available route to Koparkhairane is a narrow subway near the Koparkhairane railway station, which often experiences waterlogging during the monsoon season, leading to traffic delays. Additionally, there is an old road that links Ghansoli village to Thane, but this route requires long detours, making travel time-consuming and inconvenient.

The new arm bridge will offer a more direct and efficient alternative. Motorists travelling from Belapur towards Thane on the Thane-Belapur Road will be able to use the bridge to quickly access the two nodes, bypassing the existing narrow routes. This will be especially beneficial for commuters, as it will significantly reduce travel time and provide relief from the recurring issue of waterlogging.

According to Shirish Aradwad, the additional municipal commissioner and city engineer of NMMC, the arm bridge will begin from the lane heading towards Thane, just after the flyover near Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC), and will connect to the existing Koparkhairane-Mahape flyover, which currently serves the MIDC area.

"We have planned the construction of the arm bridge to directly link the Thane-Belapur Road to the flyover passing between Koparkhairane and Ghansoli nodes," said Aradwad in HT. He explained that, at present, there is no direct access from the Thane-Belapur Road to these nodes, and this new bridge will address that gap.

The NMMC has already called for tenders for the construction of the Road Over Bridge (ROB) and the arm bridge, with submissions expected before the end of the month. Once the tendering process is completed, the construction will commence as soon as possible, with the aim of providing much-needed relief to motorists and residents in the area.

This development is seen as a significant step in improving infrastructure in Navi Mumbai and addressing long-standing traffic issues on one of the city's busiest roads.