As MMRDA slices up one of Mumbai's oldest flyovers, it asks residents to close windows and doors against the dust
As MMRDA slices up one of Mumbai's oldest flyovers, it asks residents to close windows and doors against the dust
DON'T open that window, unless you want a dirty house. This is what the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority will be informing residents facing and living near the 35-year-old Lalbaug flyover. The demolition will start on May 5 and will go on for 25 days.
The 35-year-old Lalbaug flyover that will be demolished and in it's place the MMRDA will construct a four-lane flyoveru00a0pic/Shashank Rao
Shut that window
MMRDA will distribute notices to buildings close to this flyover, asking them to close their windows and cover utensils and food items to prevent them from getting contaminated by pollution. "We will distribute pamphlets and slips to people staying and having businesses near Lalbaug flyover. Announcements on mikes will also make them aware," said a senior MMRDA official handling work on the Lalbaug flyover.
The demolition is also seen as a step to reduce inconvenience for 'Lalbaugcha Raja' during Ganesh Chaturti. Milind Mhaiskar, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA said, "This flyoveru00a0 will be demolished and dismantled using an advance cutting technology that will prevent pollution."
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Slice that flyover!
They will also cover both sides of this 2.4 km long Lalbaug flyover with an eight-metre long green coloured cloth, usually used during construction of buildings, to prevent dust from polluting. The cloth will cover only those areas of the flyover being cut. It will be demolished using a 'diamond chain wire-cutting machine' with wall saws and core drilling machines slicing the flyover.
This Rs 2 crore machine has a diamond studded on its saw to cut the road. "This diamond is not the type used in jewellery, but it is the strongest stone and can cut into any road with ease," said an official from MMRDA. The machine is usually used to cut columns of buildings. Part of the machine is also being used in the ongoing Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project.
Why demolish?
The issue on whether one of Mumbai's oldest flyovers should be demolished or not has been going on for long. But now this step is being taken as part of MMRDA's plan to connect Sion and Lalbaug with six flyovers. The existing one-side flyover will be replaced by a four-lane flyover on both sides at a cost of Rs 150 crore. This flyover will also skip the traffic signal after Lalbaug flyover towards Byculla.
Traffic diversions
Sanjay Barve, Joint CP, Traffic said, "We will open Dr Ambedkar Road from Dattaram Lad junction to Bharatmata till the obligatory span (pillars) are brought down." Although the work on demolition and gradual leveling of road will take 25 days, the stretch of road is expected to remain closed from May 4 (midnight) till May 5.
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