NMMC proposes third bridge connecting East, West Nerul

Navi Mumbai The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has proposed a third east-west connecting bridge over the Nerul Railway Station, for which the civic body is yet to get clearance from the railway department. The bridge, for which ₹45.5 crore has been allocated in the budget, will ease congestion on the existing flyover.

Presently, commuters have two flyovers to access either side of the node, at a distance of 4 km on either side of the proposed flyover. “This third flyover is primarily planned in between the two existing ones to provide more accessibility within the internal parts of the node, especially to a hospital situated on the west side,” said an engineer.

Officials informed that the flyover is proposed to be two lanes on each side. It will run atop the railway station with entry and exit points landing opposite to the Nerul Police station on the east side and Terna Medical college and hospital on the west.

“It’s a huge project which will give immediate access to the hospital in times of emergency because the flyover is envisioned to have its landing adjacent to the hospital. The project is at a very nascent stage and has to undergo multiple approvals especially from the railways as the flyover has to pass atop the Nerul railway complex,” said the city engineer Sanjay Desai.

In the coming weeks, NMMC has scheduled a meeting to ascertain the feasibility of the project and the modifications that would be required for its implementation. “The height at which the flyover is to be constructed should be permissible for the railways as they have expansion plans on the same tracks for fast locals. There are also landings of the FOB, which would have to be studied as the two-lane bridge is likely to cover a vast area on either side,” said the official.

Residents are delighted and said that it will untangle traffic snarls on the other two flyovers on a daily basis. “FOB is certainly welcome because the existing two flyovers are now facing major traffic. Direct connectivity to the hospital will certainly help during emergencies,” said resident Shreya Patil, 30.