As construction on Thane Coastal Road-1 advances, commuters on the congested Ghodbunder Road may ultimately have an alternative route. According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the 13.45-kilometer corridor is 40% complete.
The six-lane, access-controlled greenfield road is being built between Kharegaon Toll Naka and Gaimukh. MMRDA stated that 40% of the work was finished as of September 2, with the milestone reached in 14 months.
Once constructed, the corridor is expected to relieve congestion on Ghodbunder Road, separate local and inter-city traffic, and improve interconnectivity for cars traveling to Thane, Bhiwandi, Gujarat, Nashik, and North India.
What is the current situation?
Construction is currently ongoing on the project’s foundations, piers, and elevated sections. According to MMRDA’s official post on X, 332 of the 426 working piles, or 77%, have been constructed, while 277 of the 426 piers, or 65%, are ready.
A total of 460 pier caps have been laid. Of the intended 1,632 I-girders, 501 have been built, accounting for approximately 30% of the work in this category. In addition, 13 deck-slab spans were built.
How would it benefit Ghodbunder Road commuters?
A main goal of Thane Coastal Road-1 is to create an alternative route and relieve congestion on Ghodbunder Road.
MMRDA stated that the project is “designed as a strategic freight corridor” and will improve connectivity between NH-160 (Mumbai-Nashik Highway) and Gaimukh along the Thane Creek coastline.
The project has been allocated a Development Plan road that is 40-45 meters wide. According to MMRDA, the project will help to divide local and intercity traffic on Ghodbunder Road.
The authority intends the corridor to provide faster, safer, and more convenient connectivity for traffic headed to Thane, Gujarat, Nashik, Bhiwandi, and North India.
Elevated road through mangrove areas.
The project includes a 240-meter creek bridge and an 8.11-kilometer elevated road that runs through mangrove habitats. MMRDA stated that substantial portions are being built on viaducts and bridges to protect the vulnerable mangrove ecology.
The authorities also highlighted one of the project’s engineering features. According to the MMRDA, this is India’s first greenfield road project to use a single-pile, single-pier system with land-based monopile foundations.
Direct access to Gaimukh-Fountain Hotel Tunnel
Thane Coastal Road-1 would connect directly to the proposed Gaimukh-Fountain Hotel Tunnel in Gaimukh. MMRDA stated that the connection will provide seamless Thane-Bhayander connectivity.
Together, the initiatives aim to decongest Ghodbunder Road and increase freight transportation to JNPT, Wadhawan Port, Karnataka, and South Maharashtra. Thane Coastal Road-2 is also intended to connect with future infrastructure, such as the Thane Ring Road, Saket-Amane Elevated Corridor, Thane Coastal Road-2, and Kasarvadavali-Kharbhav Road.
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