MMRDA to build two new bridges to improve Virar-Palghar connectivity

To increase road connectivity with Palghar, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) intends to build two bridges over the Vaitarna river at Virar and Manor. The development authority has started the procedure to hire a consultant to create a full project study right now. According to information provided by the organisation, one bridge connecting Marambal Pada Jetty and Datiware Jetty would cross Naringi Creek near to Jhow Island. This 3 km long creek bridge would include 1 km long approach roads. In the Manor region, a second bridge is being constructed to link the villages of Dahisar and Khamloli. Since the river isn't as wide here, the bridge will be only half as long, measuring 500 metres, with a 300-meter approach road. “There is no direct vehicular connectivity across Naringi creek on either bank right now. The existing lengthy detour takes about two hours for the journey by road via Virar Railway crossing at Naringi to NH-48 road (Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway). The proposed new connectivity will reduce travel time by up to an hour and the new connectivity between Palghar and Virar will reduce travel time by over 1.5 hours,” said an official. Estimated costs for these two bridges are yet to be worked out, which will be ascertained once the consultant submits the detailed project report to the MMRDA. The need to improve connectivity in the far-off Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has arisen due to exponential population growth as well as employment opportunities. In 2011, the MMR's population swelled to 2.2 crore compared to 17 lakh in 2001. Since 2011, the population has only gone up further. Moreover, the government carving out Palghar as a district has necessitated the need for improving infrastructure in this area.