The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited bids for a detailed project report for a new controlled-access highway to be built in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The highway will connect Kalyan, Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- The expressway will start near Badlapur, close to the Mumbai-Delhi highway.
- The highway will have eight lanes with service roads. The design speed will be 80 km/h.
- The highway will also connect to Kalyan-Shilphata Road and Metro Route 12.
- Four major interchanges are planned: the Vadodara Spur in Mumbai, the Badlapur Interchange, the Hedutane Interchange, and the Kalyan Ring Road Interchange.
- Major interchanges will be built at Palegaon near Ambernath and Hedutane in Kalyan (East).
- It will link with important roads such as the Kalyan Ring Road, Katai-Badlapur Road, and the Mumbai-Vadodara Spur.
The highway will be 20 km long. Of this, 13.65 km will be at ground level. A tunnel of 3 km and a viaduct of 3.95 km will be built. There will be five underpasses for vehicles. The project will require 200 hectares of land. The estimated cost is INR 10,833 crore.
The MMRDA has scheduled a pre-bid meeting on January 31 at its Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) headquarters. Bids must be submitted online by February 17.
The project will improve connectivity in the fast-growing suburbs of Badlapur, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, and Dombivli. These areas currently don't have quick and easy access to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and the upcoming airport. The new highway will provide a direct route, reducing travel time.
The expressway is part of the MMRDA’s larger development plan. The authority is working on multiple infrastructure projects, including sea bridges, flyovers, and metro lines. The highway will help ease traffic congestion in Thane and nearby highways. It will also improve access to the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).