The Vikhroli and Vidyavihar connectors have been delayed for quite some time now. However, it seems that the end is finally in sight. The two main East-West Connectors, one in Vikhroli and the other in Vidyavihar will be completed by March 2025 and February 2026 respectively. Once completed, the two connectors will help ease traffic congestion in Ghatkopar. Here are all of the important details that you would need to know about these connectors.
About The Vikhroli And Vidyavihar East-West Connectors
Girders launched successfully on 05/11/23 at Vidyavihar station, Mumbai div for construction of Road Over Bridge (ROB) connecting LBS marg & RC marg in N ward.
-Span length- 99.34 mtr
-Weight 1000 MT. pic.twitter.com/wiiOTIMTms— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) November 5, 2023
According to an article which was recently published by Mid-Day, the Vikhroli East-West connector was to be completed by October 2020. However, owing to a number of different factors, including but not limited to the pandemic, the work was significantly delayed.
Initially, the deadline was extended to December 2024. Now, however, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or the BMC has assured that the work will not be delayed beyond March 2025. As per the civic officials, the issues of land encroachment and handover which were hindering the progress of the project have now been resolved.
90 per cent work on the Vikhroli connector is completed and 13 of the 19 girders have been placed. Vidyavihar connector was delayed owing to the change in its approach road.
To Ease Traffic Congestion In Ghatkopar And Cut Travel Time
Vidyavihar ROB, Mumbai div.. pic.twitter.com/3MrmTbwrSn
— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) November 5, 2023
The connector at Vidyavihar has the longest girder. It is over the railway track and is 120 metres long. What is more, is that it has no pillars on the railway track. This particular connector was planned in 1991 but the project was finally commissioned in 2018.
The initial cost was ₹99.98 crore which increased to ₹108 crore after certain modifications. The bridge and the girder were lengthened again which increased the cost to ₹178 crores.
Once completed, the connector will cut down travel time between Vidyavihar East and Vidyavihar West to just 10-15 minutes. It now takes more than half an hour to travel the distance.
Are you waiting for the completion of these two connectors? How did the delay impact your commute? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @Central_Railway/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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