The long wait for the inauguration of the Kalanagar Junction flyover, which connects to the Dharavi-Bandra-Worli Sea Bridge, and the Vakola Nala–Panbai School elevated road under the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) Expansion Project is finally over. Both the flyover and the elevated road will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, August 14, at 2 pm.
The newly completed Panbai School–Vakola Nala stretch is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the Vakola area. Once operational, it will allow for a smooth, signal-free journey between Amar Mahal Junction and the Western Express Highway in just 30 to 35 minutes. Similarly, the opening of the Kalanagar flyover will help ease traffic congestion in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and at Kalanagar Junction.
As part of its effort to improve east-west connectivity and facilitate faster access to BKC and Vakola, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) undertook the expansion of the SCLR project. A key component was the construction of a 3.06 km elevated road between Kapadia Nagar and the Western Express Highway at Vakola. While the Kapadia Nagar–Vakola Nala segment has already been opened to traffic, the remaining 1.02 km stretch between Vakola Nala and Panbai School was completed only recently.
Despite the completion, the elevated road remained closed, sparking frustration among commuters and prompting calls for its opening from local leaders, including MLAs Varun Sardesai and Aaditya Thackeray. The delay was attributed to the unavailability of the Chief Minister for the inauguration. However, MMRDA sources have confirmed that both the elevated road and the flyover will now be officially opened.
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In addition, MMRDA had planned three flyovers at Kalanagar Junction to decongest BKC. One of these, linking Dharavi to the Bandra-Worli Sea Bridge, has also been completed and will be opened alongside the elevated road. These new routes are expected to provide major relief to motorists and significantly improve traffic flow in and around BKC and Vakola.