With the Bhandup-Sonapur Junction being closed all vehicular movement on Saturday and Sunday (November 1 and November 2), the Bhandup, Mulund, and Kanjurmarg areas — and especially the arterial Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road — are likely to witness traffic snarls this weekend.
The Mumbai traffic police issued an advisory on Tuesday, owing to ongoing construction work as part of Metro 4 (Green Line). The scope of work involves the installation of a 56-metre-long steel span for the Metro line. During the weekend, the junction will be completely closed for traffic, except for emergency services such as ambulances and police vehicles.
The steel span will be constructed in two phases. In the statement, the traffic police said, “Various cranes, multi-axle trailers carrying iron spans, and other machinery will have to be erected at GMLR (Bhandup-Sonapur) Junction. As a result, traffic at the junction will be completely halted during the specified period (except for essential services).” The advisory added, “The GMLR (Bhandup-Sonapur) Junction will have to be completely closed for safety of the public. Traffic has been diverted to an alternative route.”
The move is likely to lead to a detour of up to 2.5 km for commuters from Thane, Nahur, Kalyan and Dombivli, coming into the city on Monday morning (November 3). The traffic police have also announced that any one lane of the LBS Road will be closed at the Bhandup-Sonapur Junction over the next two months, starting November 3, to facilitate Metro 4 construction work. This could lead to traffic jams in areas of Kanjurmarg, Bhandup and Mulund during peak hours, from 7 am to 10 am, and 5 pm to 8 pm.
A senior official from the Mumbai traffic police said, “The traffic police received an intimation about the construction requirement for Metro 4. Traffic advisories have been issued after studying and understanding the impact on the area and on the busy arterial road.” mid-day contacted Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police (traffic), Mumbai, who confirmed the development saying the respective local traffic police divisions are handling the issue and will curb traffic congestion in the area, as possible.
Traffic diversions
Traffic from Powai, JVLR, and going towards Mulund via the LBS route will take a detour of 2.5 km and proceed towards Mulund West to rejoin LBS Road Traffic coming from Mulund (W) will take a detour via the EEH, and proceed to destination via JVLR. Traffic coming from Kanjurmarg-Bhandup West via LBS Road and Bhandup-Sonapur Junction, and traffic going to Mulund East and West will be routed as movement will be shut at Kalpana Chawla/Madhuban Garden (adjacent to Bhandup police station).
Period of work…
10 pm on Saturday (November 1) to 10 am on Sunday (November 2)
10 pm on Sunday (November 2) to 7 am on Monday (November 3)
If work is not completed…
10 pm on Saturday (November 8) to 10 am on Sunday (November 9)
10 pm on Sunday November 9 to 7 am on Monday (November 10)
Between Nov 3 and Dec 31
Any one lane at GMLR (Bhandup-Sonapur) Junction on LBS Road will be closed, as per requirements.
