09 December,2012 07:41 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
If your commute route involves taking the Currey Road Bridge (ROB) that connects Bharatmata Junction to Lower Parel station, brace yourself for a little diversion till April 30, 2013.
The Bharatmata Junction Road was closed for vehicles due to Mono Rail work at Lalbaug
The ROB that leads to Mahadev Palav Marg and Bharatmata Junction in the east, and NM Joshi Marg and Lower Parel station in the west was closed yesterday in order to start the construction work of Jacob Circle-Wadala monorail phase two. And, if the traffic situation remains under control, it is likely to remain closed till April 30, 2013.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Joint Project Director Dilip Kawatkar said, "In order to curb traffic jams, we have taken help from the traffic police department. Traffic wardens will also be deployed at the diverted route to ensure smooth traffic flow. Initially the bridge will be closed for till today. If the traffic situation is under control, it will remain closed till April 30 next year."
Presently, Mahadev Palav Marg connects Lalbaug and Parel areas with NM Joshi Marg. With its closure, the existing traffic scenario is likely to worsen, as motorists will have to take diversionary routes via Chinchpokli Bridge and Elphinstone ROB, which will add around 45 minutes of extra travel.
Rail commuters will have to walk from Bharatmata Junction to Currey Road station, as buses and taxis will also have to take the alternate route. Ambulances going towards KEM and TATA hospital will also have to use the alternate routes. The MMRDA had already constructed pillars along most of the monorail stretch, but it is yet to start erecting pillars on the Mahadev Palav Marg as construction cannot be started until the entire road is closed.
Did you know?
During peak hours, it takes more than 20 minutes to cover a distance of 300 metres between Bhartmata Junction and NM junction Marg via Mahadev Palav Marg.
