Virar-Alibaug Corridor designing in final stages

Mumbai, May, 2011: The feasibility study of the ambitious project of Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor is reaching near completion. As per the design, the corridor would be aimed to provide the vehicular speed of 120km/hour. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would now take up the decisions pertaining to implementation and financial aspects of the project.
Project planning consultants, The Louis Berger & Group, INC recently briefed the Authority on various aspects of the designing. The consultants are expected to submit the final reports in about a couple of months.
Mr S V R Srinivas, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, “There are many dynamic aspects to this project. Following the submission of final reports, we would decide upon the suggested financial and project implementation models. The planning of alternative alignment works is over along with surveys. We are incorporating various infrastructure components in the Corridor in which the road component would be planned such that it would facilitate the speed of 120km per hour to the motorists.” Moreover, designing of alignment, designing of toll plaza and interchanges are also completed.
The Corridor proposed from Diva-Vasai rail line intersection on NH-8 up to Alibaug would cover a distance of about 140km. The route would enable to cover the distance just little more than an hour. The other existing routes for the same destination include an intersection from NH-8 towards Bhiwandi via Kalyan towards Panvel. Another route is the diversion from Thane-Ghodbundar road at NH-8 towards Thane and then Panvel via Navi Mumbai. Third route is from Mumbai city to Eastern Express Highway up to Navi Mumbai and Panvel.
Currently, all other routes take about 3 to 5 hours to cover the distance. Therefore, the proposed Multi-Modal Corridor would provide fastest and convenient route for the commuters between Gujarat, Mumbai towards Nashik, Pune, Goa Highway, Alibaug and even Navi Mumbai saving time, fuel and pressure on existing roadways.