Motorists travelling on the Western Express Highway (WEH) will soon have a smooth ride, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to concretize a 25.33-kilometer stretch of the main arterial road from Mahim junction to Dahisar Checknaka to eliminate potholes during the monsoon. Officials say the WEH, which has 12 flyovers, 13 pedestrian underpasses, 9 vehicle underpasses, and 13 pedestrian bridges, is the most important route in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, sees an average of 4.39 lakh passenger car units (PCU) every day.
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In 2018, the PWD handed a portion of the WEH to the MMRDA. The whole route was handed to the MMRDA in 2019. MMRDA has been spending Rs 30-40 crore per year on highway repairs since then.
“Field surveys conducted in September showed that it would be more convenient to shape the Mahim-Dakisar arterial road section instead of paving it with asphalt. “A request for the concretisation project, estimated to cost Rs 837 crore, was submitted at a recent meeting of the authority with the urban development minister, and administrative sanction was provided for the project,” the source added. Officials said they made the choice because it has a 30-year design life and would boost vehicular traffic on the section by 2050.
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The 25.3-kilometer section will be built in five stages. The 10.08-kilometer route between Mahim and Shankarwadi Junction would cost Rs 217 crore, while the 5-kilometer stretch between Shankarwadi Junction and Dindoshi Junction will cost Rs 192 crore. The 5-kilometer length from Dindoshi Junction to Bhor Junction would cost Rs 211 crore, while the 5.25-kilometer stretch from Bhor Junction to Dahisar Checknaka will cost Rs 214 crore. “
