Milan bridge to solve blues: Fact or fallacy?

The width of an approach road towards Milan subway's road over bridge (ROB) narrows down on one end, raising doubts about its ability to help during peak hours

Milan bridge to solve blues: Fact or fallacy?

Since over four-and-half years, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been constructing a road over bridge (ROB) above Milan subway, which is expected to be ready by October-end or early November. It is touted to take care of traffic jams and prevent jams during monsoons.

Milan subway is notorious for traffic snarls during monsoons

The state government, railways and motorists are desperately waiting for the Rs 84-crore ROB. However motorists are in for an unpleasant surprise the congestion at Milan subway, might not be solved by this ROB at all.

The width of the approach road on the east side of Milan ROB leading to the Western Express Highway (WEH) is 19 metres which narrows down to 12 metres as motorists drive on the other side over the railway tracks and reach the approach road. Sources said this would only result in congestion because vehicles will face a narrower road.u00a0“The ROB is of six-lanes on the east end. However, on the west end of Milan subway, the width of road reduces, which funnels the vehicles into a narrower road,” explained a railway official, on condition of anonymity.

The officials blame the shops and other structures present on both sides of the road to the west of Milan subway and the failure of authorities who did not take note of this in the initial planning stages. However the MMRDA claims it is carrying out the project after consultation with the railways. “We are working as per the plan approved by the railways,” said a senior MMRDA official. “We will complete the work when the railways give us permission,” said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, MMRDA.u00a0

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