‘Things are moving at a fast pace now’

Hindustan Times spoke to Milind Mhaiskar, additional metropolitan commissioner and project director, about the delays in road projects.

The main east-west road connectivity plans are stuck.
The delay in the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is project-specific due to issues like relief and rehabilitation. It should be complete in 2010. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is 91 per cent complete. We are confident of finishing it by December 2009.

Are all issues with SCLR sorted out?
Yes, things are moving fast now. There are 13 Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority buildings and an electrical tower that are in the way. We are in talks with various departments to sort out the matter.

JVLR also had a problem with the railways.
No. It is almost complete, we will sort it out. We are finalising sites for pedestrian bridges.

What about other projects?
They are progressing well. Of the six flyovers on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, five will be ready by March 2010.

What about the freeways?
There are no major encroachment issues; work will be completed on deadline.