The 16.4 km-long Eastern Freeway became operational from today with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan throwing open to public the final stretch of 2.8 km, that will reduce the commuting time between south Mumbai and Ghatkopar in the eastern suburbs to 30 minutes.
With Chavan inaugurating the third and final phase which connects Panjarpol to Ghatkopar, the entire stretch became operational for vehicular traffic.
The average travel time by road from Ghatkopar to South Mumbai is 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. With the freeway becoming operational, the traffic snarls associated with rush hour are likely to be reduced.
Chavan also inaugurated the 580-metre south-bound lanes of the Kherwadi junction.
The two phases of the Freeway project--elevated road between Orange Gate in the south Mumbai to Anik and Anik- Panjarpol link road were commissioned on June 14 last year.
"Through Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), we have completed over 14,430 crore worth infrastructure projects and another Rs 10,000 crore worth are under progress," Chavan told reporters after the inauguration.
He said that the Authority had also planned projects worth Rs 36,000 crore that will improve the overall connectivity in the metropolitan region.
"In the last five years, the government has completed various projects including first 11.4 km Versova-Andheri- Ghatkopar Mumbai metro, 8.9 km Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle monorail, two-km Sahar elevated corridor, Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, Santacruz-Chembur Link Road and 16.4 km Eastern Freeway, among others," Chavan said.
"Currently, work on phase II of projects including Monorail (Thane to Kalyan and Bhiwandi) and Mumbai Urban Transport Project are in advanced stages of completion. We will be soon commencing work on Rs 36,000 crore worth of various projects which include the third Colaba-Seepz underground metro, Surya water supply project and Worli-Sewri corridor," the chief minister said.
