Special traffic block on Thane-Ghodbunder Road from April 25 to 29 for repair works

Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao undertook an inspection of the monsoon preparedness in the city on Thursday.

A special traffic block will be in effect on the Thane-Ghodbunder Road from April 25 to April 29 to facilitate essential patchwork repairs at Gaimukh Ghat and Majivada Bridge. The work aims to prevent potholes from forming during the upcoming monsoon season and ensure smoother traffic flow.

Civic commissioner Saurabh Rao on Thursday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing road repair works across the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) area, along with the officials from TMC, Public Works Department, Metro authorities, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

He directed officials to ensure that the works currently underway on Ghodbunder Road are completed and the road opened to traffic by May 20. Rao also stated that any project unlikely to be completed before the monsoon should commence only after the rainy season.

As part of the monsoon preparedness, Rao inspected the works at Eastern Express Highway, Kapurbawdi Junction, Ghodbunder Road, service roads, and Gaimukh Ghat on Thursday. Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, City Engineer Prashant Sonagra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, Metro Superintendent Engineer Abhijeet Disikar, and other officials were present with him.

Rao mentioned that inspections of works on Ghodbunder Road are being conducted every four weeks to ensure preparedness for the monsoon. All the involved departments - TMC, PWD, Metro, MMRDA, MSEDCL, and the traffic police - are coordinating the works in a time-bound and monitored manner.

The primary goal is to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on Ghodbunder Road before the monsoon begins.

He noted that the stretch from Cadbury Junction to Gaimukh had already been inspected a few days ago, and the works underway are progressing rapidly.

These works include road concretisation, sewer-cleaning, laying of water pipelines, and replacement of sewage lines - all of which are to be completed by 20 May. The civic commissioner also directed the officials to remove unnecessary barricades, pipelines, debris, and other leftover materials from Metro works that have been completed.

He also undertook inspections of the ongoing water pipeline works near the service road adjacent to Jupiter Hospital on the Eastern Express Highway, the Metro works at Kapurbawdi Junction, and both Metro and water pipeline projects from the petrol pump near CineWonder Mall to Nalpada Junction.

Deep cleaning of culverts to begin

To prevent waterlogging caused by drains and sewers during the monsoon, the civic body will undertake the deep cleaning of culverts. The executive engineer has been directed to monitor this work. As the old drainage lines are being replaced on Ghodbunder Road, care must be taken to ensure that the new lines are properly connected to the existing system to prevent blockages, the civic commissioner stated.

Kasarvadavali-Bhayanderpada work to be completed by May 20

The ongoing flyover construction at Kasarvadavali and Bhayanderpada is progressing steadily. Once open, these flyovers are expected to significantly ease traffic flow. Civic commissioner Rao directed officials that all the remaining works on these flyovers be completed by 20 May. Additionally, he instructed that the MSEDCL utilities located next to the Kasarvadavali flyover be relocated swiftly.

Gaimukh Ghat works to commence

The patchwork at Gaimukh Ghat, including patching on the Majivada Bridge, is scheduled between April 25 and 28. The work will be undertaken to ensure prevention of potholes during the monsoon. Attention has also been paid to prevent traffic congestion at Gaimukh Ghat, as it directly impacts traffic along the entire Ghodbunder Road. The traffic department has made arrangements to undertake the work, and a special four-day traffic block will be implemented to complete it efficiently, Rao stated.

Rao has appealed to citizens to cooperate with the authorities during the ongoing works and avoid driving on the wrong side.