13 August,2026 07:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The projects were inaugurated through a video link from Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai. Pic/X (@CMOMaharashtra)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated key infrastructure projects in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, saying they would improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.
The projects were inaugurated through a video link from Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and other officials were present at the event.
The projects include the final BKC-Vakola arm of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) Phase-2, the Chembur Metro station on Metro Line 2B, and the launch of 'Arjuna', the second tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Thane-Borivali twin-tunnel road project.
The newly inaugurated elevated corridor connects the Bharat Nagar Road/Mumbai University area with Vakola Junction.
The 1.40-km corridor is the final link in the SCLR project and is expected to improve connectivity between the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and Western Express Highway (WEH).
According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the wider SCLR network, including eight approach roads, is now complete.
The approximately 10.30-km integrated network is expected to provide faster access to BKC, Mumbai Airport and other major commercial areas.
Officials said the route could help motorists avoid congestion around Kalina, Vakola and Kalanagar, potentially reducing travel time by up to 35 minutes.
The SCLR Phase-II corridor was opened to traffic immediately after the inauguration ceremony.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated Chembur Metro station on Mumbai Metro Line 2B.
The station is designed as an important multimodal transport hub, connecting passengers with Chembur suburban railway station and the Chembur Monorail station.
The station will strengthen public transport connectivity in Mumbai's eastern suburbs. Once the entire D N Nagar-Mandale corridor becomes operational, officials expect significant reductions in travel time compared with road journeys.
The station was opened for passenger services from 5 pm on Thursday.
Six stations on Metro Line 2B are now operational, according to the MMRDA.
Fadnavis also launched 'Arjuna', the second tunnel boring machine for the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project.
The first TBM, 'Nayak', has already been deployed. The launch of Arjuna will allow excavation work on both tunnels to progress simultaneously.
The TBM is 86 metres long, with an inner diameter of 11.85 metres and an outer diameter of 13.34 metres.
The twin tunnels are being constructed beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are expected to create a direct road connection between Thane and Borivali.
Travel time expected to fall sharply
The project is expected to reduce the journey between Thane and Borivali from around 90 minutes to about 15 minutes, once completed.
Officials estimate that around one lakh commuters could benefit every day from the faster route.
The project involves rehabilitation measures for people affected by the construction. Of the 572 affected structures, 567 have been removed, while the remaining five utility structures are proposed to be removed.
The 1.62-km, four-lane Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) Connector Flyover has been named after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Barrister Babasaheb Anantrao Bhosale.
The signal-free elevated corridor connects BKC with the Eastern Express Highway and provides an important link towards Sion.
The naming ceremony was attended by members of the Bhosale family, including his eldest daughter Shanta Yadav and daughter-in-law Arundhati Bhosale.
Fadnavis said the projects would provide a major boost to connectivity in Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region.
He said the government was working towards integrating roads, Metro and suburban rail infrastructure to improve mobility for commuters.
MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said the projects were part of efforts to create a seamless transport and Ring Road network across the MMR.
