Kopri rail overbridge, an important Thane-Mumbai connector, is set to be opened for traffic on February 9, which is also Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s birthday. The Opposition claimed that the bridge has been ready for the past 15 days but the inauguration was stalled so the CM could cut the ribbon on his birthday. When asked, MMRDA chief S V R Srinivas denied the allegation and said some minor work was pending. But when mid-day visited the bridge on Tuesday, the bridge seemed ready even though there were a few workers. There were also scores of banners erected along the median congratulating the CM.

The Kopri ROB, which falls on the Eastern Express Highway, was taken up for widening from four-lanes to eight-lanes in 2018. The work was carried out in two phases with the first phase completed and opened for traffic in October 2021. The work on the second phase was on and was set to be complete by January 2023. The MMRDA, which is carrying out the work, has now set the inauguration date on February 9 which coincides with the birthday of CM Shinde, who has strong roots in Thane.