Mumbai: Save us from long detours, motorists beg MMRDA

The closed portion of the north-bound road near Mith Chowki due to Metro-2A work. Pic/Satej Shinde

A 300-metre stretch of a road between Mith Chowki in Malad and Kandivli that has been closed for Metro work is causing much inconvenience, said motorists and local residents.

They said state infra body MMRDA should open up the north-bound portion to save them from detours via Hindustan Naka and other crowded sports during evening peak hours.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority or MMRDA is building the Hisar-DN Nagar Metro 2A line above the arterial New Link Road between Andheri and Dahisar.

While the project is near completion and most barricades on the road have been removed, the obstacles still remain at few places from Inorbit Mall to Mith chowki, leading to heavy congestion.

The locals said those going from Malad Infinity Mall towards Kandivli West or Borivli have no option but to take left from Mith Chowki and travel through the busy Charkop and Hindustan Naka where commuting becomes excruciatingly frustrating between 6 pm and 10 pm.

Some of the locals told mid-day that the road below the Metro corridor is riddled with potholes at some places which further slow down vehicle movement.

Inderjeet Singh Chauhan, Youth Congress Malad Assembly president, said, "Once the Metro starts, the problem will be solved but authorities should repair the bad stretch of road at certain places between Infinity Mall and Mith Chowki junction. Also, the north-bound stretch should be opened so that motorists don't get stuck at Charkop and Hindustan Naka."

Kandivli West resident Anil Ambokar, who commutes up to Andheri every day, said he is a victim of the heavy traffic due to the closure of a part of the arterial road.

"Our request to the authorities is that they should increase the pace of work and open the closed road at the earliest to lessen the inconvenience caused to motorists.

2A
Metro line between Hisar and DN Nagar