Taking note of a mid-day report highlighting how the upper surface of the newly opened Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) connector was peeling off and how its landing was causing traffic chaos on the Western Express Highway, Mumbai North Central MP Varsha Gaikwad has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding strict action against erring officials and a comprehensive plan to tackle the Vakola traffic mess.
“The opening of the SCLR bridge was expected to ease traffic movement and provide much-needed relief to thousands of commuters. Instead, it has brought fresh disappointment on two counts. Firstly, the bridge had to be shut for repairs within just a few days of inauguration due to surface damage and poor workmanship. This raises serious concerns about construction quality and the lack of accountability in project execution. Strict action must be taken against the contractor and officials responsible for approving such substandard work,” Gaikwad wrote in her letter.
Maintenance workers fix an area on the road damaged due to missing rumblers on Tuesday
She also pointed out that even when open, the SCLR connector has failed to deliver the promised relief. Instead of easing congestion, traffic has simply been pushed further to the Western Express Highway near the airport and the Vakola junction.
“The already choked Vakola stretch is now under greater strain, leading to long delays, severe gridlocks, and mounting frustration among commuters. The issue is not only the bridge, but the absence of a proper traffic dispersal plan for its landing points. Without urgent corrective measures, the entire stretch will continue to remain a nightmare for residents, office-goers, and those accessing the airport,” the letter reads.
Road surface damage was seen on Tuesday
Gaikwad has demanded an immediate inquiry into the alleged quality lapses on the SCLR bridge and strict action against the contractor and officials who failed in their oversight. She further urged the CM to direct the MMRDA, BMC and the traffic police to prepare and implement a comprehensive dispersal plan for the SCLR landing points, ensuring smoother flow towards WEH and Vakola; and convene a joint coordination meeting of all agencies to address the Vakola bottleneck, with specific, time-bound measures such as improved signalling, stricter lane discipline and better deployment of traffic personnel.
On August 25, mid-day reported that the extension appeared to have defeated its very purpose, with traffic snarls where its arm meets the highway during peak hours. This followed earlier warnings in March that the northbound landing point could turn into a bottleneck. The MMRDA has since faced sharp criticism, with motorists calling the connector a textbook case of poor planning.
