In a bid to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion near Turbhe railway station on the Thane Belapur route, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has initiated the construction of a flyover. As a result, heavy vehicles will face a temporary ban on the Thane-Belapur route for the next one and a half months, starting from December 6, 2023, until January 25, 2024. Alternative routes have been outlined to manage transport during this period.

The decision to construct a flyover at Turbhe Store, estimated at a cost of Rs. 30 crores, comes in response to the regular traffic snarls and numerous accidents near Turbhe railway station and the adjacent Turbhe store colony. This stretch has been known for traffic congestion, posing risks to pedestrians and resulting in tragic fatalities. Demands from the local representatives for a flyover gained momentum, leading the municipal construction department to award the contract for this crucial project to Mahaveer Construction in April of the previous year.

Despite delays attributed to obtaining necessary no-objection certificates, the transport department has now given its approval for the traffic diversion during the construction phase. The flyover construction is scheduled to commence on December 6, and heavy vehicles will be prohibited from using the Thane-Belapur road from Fire Brigade Junction at Pawne village to Belapur until January 25, 2024.

During this restricted period, heavy vehicles will have alternative routes, such as taking a left turn from the White House Pavne Fire Junction via MIDC to reach their destinations. Similarly, traffic from Turbhe Nakaya to Indiranagar Circle to Amines Company will face temporary closure, with vehicles rerouted by taking a left turn from Indiranagar Circle. The right turn from Turbhe Nakaya to Hanuman Nagar T Point will also be prohibited, with vehicles directed to take a left turn to reach their destinations. Additionally, vehicles passing under the Uranphata Bridge via MIDC will be restricted. The traffic control department urges compliance with the outlined alternative routes during this construction period.

“This temporary traffic diversion aims to ensure the safety of commuters and expedite the completion of the Turbhe Store flyover, providing long-term relief to the congested Thane Belapur route”, said an official from NMMC.