CM Fadnavis inaugurates SCLR Phase-2 arm, Chembur Metro station; launches second TBM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated key infrastructure projects in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region saying they would improve connectivity and ease traffic congestionThe projects were inaugurated through a video link from Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and other officials were present at the eventThe projects include the final BKCVakola arm of the SantacruzChembur Link Road SCLR Phase2 the Chembur Metro station on Metro Line 2B and the launch of Arjuna the second tunnel boring machine TBM for the ThaneBorivali twintunnel road projectSCLR PhaseII link opens to trafficThe newly inaugurated elevated corridor connects the Bharat Nagar RoadMumbai University area with Vakola JunctionThe 140km corridor is the final link in the SCLR project and is expected to improve connectivity between the Eastern Express Highway EEH and Western Express Highway WEHAccording to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA the wider SCLR network including eight approach roads is now completeThe approximately 1030km integrated network is expected to provide faster access to BKC Mumbai Airport and other major commercial areasOfficials said the route could help motorists avoid congestion around Kalina Vakola and Kalanagar potentially reducing travel time by up to 35 minutesThe SCLR PhaseII corridor was opened to traffic immediately after the inauguration ceremonyChembur Metro station opens for passengersThe Chief Minister also inaugurated Chembur Metro station on Mumbai Metro Line 2BThe station is designed as an important multimodal transport hub connecting passengers with Chembur suburban railway station and the Chembur Monorail stationThe station will strengthen public transport connectivity in Mumbais eastern suburbs Once the entire D N NagarMandale corridor becomes operational officials expect significant reductions in travel time compared with road journeysThe station was opened for passenger services from 5 pm on ThursdaySix stations on Metro Line 2B are now operational according to the MMRDAArjuna TBM launched for ThaneBorivali tunnelFadnavis also launched Arjuna the second tunnel boring machine for the ThaneBorivali Twin Tunnel ProjectThe first TBM Nayak has already been deployed The launch of Arjuna will allow excavation work on both tunnels to progress simultaneouslyThe TBM is 86 metres long with an inner diameter of 1185 metres and an outer diameter of 1334 metresThe twin tunnels are being constructed beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are expected to create a direct road connection between Thane and BorivaliTravel time expected to fall sharplyThe project is expected to reduce the journey between Thane and Borivali from around 90 minutes to about 15 minutes once completedOfficials estimate that around one lakh commuters could benefit every day from the faster routeThe project involves rehabilitation measures for people affected by the construction Of the 572 affected structures 567 have been removed while the remaining five utility structures are proposed to be removedBKC flyover named after former CM Babasaheb BhosaleThe 162km fourlane BandraKurla Complex BKC Connector Flyover has been named after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Barrister Babasaheb Anantrao BhosaleThe signalfree elevated corridor connects BKC with the Eastern Express Highway and provides an important link towards SionThe naming ceremony was attended by members of the Bhosale family including his eldest daughter Shanta Yadav and daughterinlaw Arundhati BhosaleFocus on integrated transport networkFadnavis said the projects would provide a major boost to connectivity in Mumbai and the wider metropolitan regionHe said the government was working towards integrating roads Metro and suburban rail infrastructure to improve mobility for commutersMMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said the projects were part of efforts to create a seamless transport and Ring Road network across the MMR