In order to improve road connectivity with Palghar, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned to erect two bridges over Vaitarna river at Virar and Manor.
For this, the development authority has initiated the process to get a detailed project report prepared through a consultant.
Officials mentioned that the need to improve connectivity in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has arisen due to exponential population growth as well as employment opportunities. There is no direct vehicular connectivity across Naringi creek on either bank currently. The existing lengthy detour takes about two hours for journey by road via Virar Railway crossing at Naringi to NH-48 road (Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway).
As per sources, one bridge would be over Naringi creek, next to Jhow Island to connect Marambal Pada Jetty and Datiware Jetty. This would be a 3km-long creek bridge having 1km approach roads.
Meanwhile, the second bridge is being planned in the Manor area to connect Dahisar and Khamloli villages. The river's width isn't as wide at this location, therefore, it will be a 1/2km-long bridge with a total approach road length of 300m.
If reports are to be believed, the proposed new connectivity will reduce travel time by up to an hour and the new connectivity between Palghar and Virar will reduce travel time by over 1.5 hours.
Estimated costs for these two bridges are yet to be worked out, which will be ascertained once the consultant submits the detailed project report to the MMRDA.
It is pertinent to note that back in 2011, the MMR's population swelled to 2.2 crore as compared to 17 lakhs in 2001. Since 2011, the population has only gone up further.
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