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Time of India

Long-delayed Vikhroli ROB to open today sans fanfare

Mumbai: The much-delayed Vikhroli road over-bridge (ROB), a key east-west connector over the railway tracks, will finally be opened for vehicular traffic on Saturday, following a directive from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis . The Vikhroli ROB, built at an estimated cost of Rs 105 crore, will help motorists save 30 minutes of travel time, said BMC officials. Fadanavis on Friday announced that to avoid inconvenience to Mumbaikars during monsoon, the 615m-long bridge, which connects Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in Vikhroli West to Eastern Express Highway, will be made operational on Saturday 4pm without a formal inauguration. The work order for the Vikhroli ROB was issued in April 2018. BMC had drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which had cited improper planning, non-preparation of estimates as per site conditions, and non-removal of encroachment for the delay. BMC officials had then attributed the delay in the completion of the project to the acquisition of land, removal of structures and trees, and shifting of utilities. Ganesh Shetty, an activist from Vikhroli who has been pursuing the bridge construction since 2002, said: "The ROB will benefit vehicle users in Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Hiranandani Powai, but traffic issues will persist in Vikhroli West, LBS Marg, Tagore Nagar, and Kannamwar Nagar as the internal roads have not been widened." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No Distractions. Just Solitaire Play Solitaire Download Undo The approach roads on both sides of Vikhroli ROB, besides work on sound barriers, anti-crash barriers, painting, and road markings, have all been completed. BMC has also created a traffic bay on the western side. "We have completed all works, including the load tests and issuing of stability certificates for Vikhroli bridge. Besides, signals, cat eyes, and speedbreakers have also been installed. The joint commissioner of police (traffic), who inspected the bridge on Wednesday, issued instructions for the installation of direction boards and gave the go-ahead to open the bridge for vehicles," said a BMC official. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .