KALYAN: The long-pending reconstruction of the Shahad railway overbridge (ROB), a key link between Kalyan and Ulhasnagar on National Highway 61, is set to begin soon, with the tendering process completed and the work order issued for the Rs 325.93-crore project.The project, being executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), involves constructing two new two-lane bridges to replace the existing 40-year-old structure.The upgrade is expected to ease congestion between Kalyan, Ulhasnagar and Murbad, besides providing a dedicated route for heavy vehicles.The project has progressed following sustained follow-up by Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde. It is part of the Titwala-Badlapur road widening and strengthening project and has received technical approval of Rs 325.93 crore, including Rs 199.21 crore for civil works.Shiv Sena functionaries briefed the media about the project at a press conference in Ulhasnagar on Thursday, held under the leadership of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam.Municipal House Leader Arun Aashan said the construction would be completed in two phases to minimise traffic disruption.In the first phase, a new two-lane bridge will be built alongside the existing one. It will begin opposite Sai Nirvana Downtown Society, cross Mohane Road and pass over Shahad railway station towards Ulhasnagar.On the Ulhasnagar side, a ramp will connect it near Paradise Plaza, while a separate branch beyond D-Mart will cater to heavy vehicles heading towards Murbad.A direct approach from Mohane Road towards Ulhasnagar and a separate 50-metre route for traffic towards Kalyan are also planned.After the new bridge opens to traffic, the existing ROB will be dismantled in stages and replaced with another two-lane bridge. Its ramps will connect the D-Mart and Paradise Plaza areas with Mohane Road.The existing bridge is a major bottleneck as traffic from Bhiwandi, Murbad and Ahmednagar also uses the narrow structure.Once both phases are completed, the two bridges will provide four lanes across the Central Railway tracks, improving connectivity and reducing congestion on the Kalyan-Ulhasnagar stretch.Besides the mayor and the House Leader, Standing Committee Chairman Kulwant Singh Sohta, senior corporators Rajendra Chaudhary, Bhullar Mahajar, Mahesh Sukhramani and Prakash Makhija, along with other local leaders, were present at the press conference.
