MMRDA to Begin Phase 3 of Airoli Katai Naka Road Project Soon; Completion Likely in 48 Months

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will soon begin work for Phase 3 of the Airoli Katai Naka Road Project. This phase includes constructing an elevated road between National Highway 4 (NH-4) and Katai Naka. The project was recently awarded with the contract value of INR 1981.17 crore. 

Phase 3 will take 48 months to complete. Initial tasks, such as surveys and geotechnical studies, are set to start shortly. Once completed, this elevated road will connect main regions. It will improve travel time and improve traffic flow. 

The Airoli Katai Naka Road Project spans a total length of 12.3 kilometers. It starts from the Airoli end of the Mulund-Airoli Bridge and passes through Thane Belapur Road. It continues on NH-4 (old) before crossing the Kalyan-Shil Road at Katai Naka and joining the Katai Naka-Badlapur Road. 

The entire project is divided into three phases. Phases 1 and 2 are expected to open for traffic by October next year, bringing significant relief to daily commuters. 

Phase 1 includes a 3.43-kilometre route with a 0.94-kilometre elevated section and a 1.68-kilometre twin tunnel. The elevated portion has three lanes in each direction. The twin tunnel has four lanes and is almost 90% complete. The elevated section is fully constructed. The updated cost for Phase 1 is INR 556 crore. 

Phase 2 focuses on building a 3+3 lane elevated road between Thane Belapur Road and Airoli Bridge. This section connects with the Phase 1 elevated road near Airoli station and links to the twin tunnel at Parsik Hill. Around 75% of Phase 2 is completed, with the updated contract cost estimated at INR 395 crore. 

Currently, commuters travelling from Mumbai to Kalyan and Badlapur have two main road options. They can take the Thane-Mumbra-Kalyan Phata-Shil-Kalyan Road or the Mankhurd-Vashi-Mahape-Mahal-Kalyan Road.

Once the project is complete, travel between Mulund and Katai Naka will be shortened by 7-8 kilometers. Travel time will also be reduced by 45 minutes to an hour during peak traffic. The project will also decongest major roads, including Shil Kalyan Road, Thane-Belapur Road, Mahape Road, and the NH-4 (old) intersections at Shilphata and Kalyan Phata.