Mumbai: Airoli-Katai Naka Project To Reduce Travel Time By 30 Minutes, Here's What We Know

The work on the final phase of the highly anticipated Airoli-Katai Naka project is expected to commence soon.

As per a report by Times of India, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) seeks to appoint a contractor for the construction of the 6.72-kilometre elevated corridor between Shil and Katai this month.

The new route will connect Navi Mumbai to the Kalyan-Domivali area reducing the distance between the two points to just 7 kilometres and making travel much more efficient and time consuming.

As per the report, Afcons Infrastructure has submitted the lowest bid for the construction of this segment i.e. Rs 2,018 crore, which is higher than MMRDA’s estimated cost of Rs 1,887 crore. Other bidders on the list include APCO Infratech, Ashoka Buildcond and Navyuga Engineering Company.

A Senior MMRDA official told TOI that they will review the bids and may engage in price negotiation. “The final proposal will be presented to MMRDA’s executive committee before issuing the work order to the successful bidder,” he said.

Upon its completion, the Airoli-Katai Naka project is expected to reduce the travel timing by up to 30 minutes. Currently, travellers need to take an alternative route through Thane or Mahape.

The report suggests that the Airoli-Katai Naka project will include two tunnels and an elevated roadway. The Thane-Belapur Road to National Highway 4 stretch will be 3.43 km long, while the Airoli Bridge to Thane-Belapur Road segment will be 2.57 km. Each twin tunnel will be 1.69 kilometers long, with three lanes and one additional emergency lane.

The project aims to enhance connectivity in Kalyan and its surrounding regions like Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Vithalwadi and Badlapur.

Are you excited to drive on the Airoli-Katai Naka roadway soon?

In other news, the Bombay High Court recently dismissed a petition filed by a city-based architect seeking modifications to the design of the land-filled segment of the coastal route (south) to provide more accessible open spaces without fundamentally affecting the project. Alternatively, the plea requested the formation of an impartial expert committee to hear petitioners’ concerns over the planned design alterations.