Flyover Repairs Delay Thane Highway Handover Despite State Notification
The handover of a crucial 10.5-kilometer stretch of the Ghodbunder highway to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is facing significant delays due to pending repairs on four major flyovers. This setback comes despite the state government issuing a formal notification for the transfer several weeks ago.
Highway Ownership Transfer Stalled by Infrastructure Issues
The ownership of the highway segment, spanning from Gaimukh to Kapurbawdi, was slated to be transferred from the Public Works Department (PWD) to the municipal corporation. The PWD had previously taken over the highway from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in 2021 but has struggled with maintenance responsibilities.
The Thane corporation had issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the state government, expressing its willingness to accept ownership under the condition that the road is concretized and the flyovers are fully repaired. While the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is currently upgrading the road surfaces, the condition of the flyovers remains a critical concern.
Funding Shortfall Halts Flyover Repairs
A senior civic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the PWD has expressed its inability to undertake the necessary repair works due to a severe lack of funds. "The PWD has now expressed its inability to execute any works due to lack of funds, due to which we may now have to take it up at our costs," the official stated.
This financial impasse means that the Thane Municipal Corporation might have to bear the repair costs itself to facilitate the highway's transfer. Municipal engineers are currently awaiting final technical drawings and stability reports for the flyovers to assess the exact scope of work required.
Estimated Repair Costs and Historical Context
The official estimated that the minimum cost for repairing the four flyovers—located at Waghbil, Manpada, Patlipada, and Kapurbawdi—would be around Rs 15 crore. "Once the revamp work is completed, we will be in a position to completely own the highway," the official emphasized.
The proposal to transfer the highway to the Thane corporation was initially mooted during the tenure of Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister. Since then, multiple meetings have been held between the involved agencies, with the corporation consistently insisting that the highway and its flyovers be handed over in a well-maintained state.
This delay highlights the ongoing challenges in infrastructure management and inter-agency coordination within Maharashtra's urban development framework.
