Navi Mumbai 13 July 2023: A new flyover has been built to connect the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s (JNPA) fourth port on Jaskhar route. The flyover, which consists of two levels and spans 700 meters, cost around 68 crore rupees to construct. It will be open for container traffic starting from August.
This flyover will help ease traffic congestion and facilitate the movement of containers between Karal and Jaskhar. The JNPA is developing the Singapore Port (Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal) as their fourth port, with a length of 2000 meters, through privatization. The first phase of this port, which cost around 8000 crore rupees, has been completed, and the second phase is currently underway.
The objective is to transport more than 4 million containers per year through this port. To achieve this, the JNPA assigned the construction of an independent road connecting the fourth port to the National Highways Authority of India (NHI) Company. The remaining work on the bridge will be finished soon. After that, the flyover will be handed over to the JNPA, and they will decide when to open it for traffic, according to Yashwant Ghotkar, Joint Manager of NHIA.
Karal Phata – Singapore Port Flyover Project Initiation
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has unveiled a significant proposal to improve traffic connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s (JNPA) fourth port. The project, initiated in 2016, aims to alleviate congestion and ensure smooth traffic movement in the region. The estimated cost of the project was 500 crore rupees.
The primary objective of this undertaking is to enhance the post handling capacity of the port, doubling it to accommodate an impressive 1 crore containers per year, as suggested by NHAI. With the exponential growth in trade and commerce, it has become crucial to upgrade infrastructure to meet the rising demands of container traffic.
The Karal phata, a critical junction leading to JNPT, has been burdened with heavy traffic, as approximately 8000 heavy vehicles utilize this route daily. The congestion at this junction has been a pressing concern for both commuters and the authorities. The proposed project is expected to address this issue by improving road connectivity and introducing modern infrastructure.
The completion of this project, initially anticipated by 2019, will significantly reduce travel time and enhance the efficiency of goods transportation to and from JNPT. The investment in the project highlights the government’s commitment to developing robust transportation networks that support economic growth and facilitate trade.
It is worth mentioning that JNPT, which was established in 1989, has witnessed remarkable growth over the years. To accommodate the increasing demand, the Karal phata bridge was also developed to facilitate smoother movement of traffic to and from the port. However, the recent surge in trade necessitated further improvements, leading to the NHAI’s proposed project.
As the project progresses, it is expected to revolutionize the traffic landscape of the region and bolster JNPT’s position as a crucial gateway for international trade. The timely completion of this ambitious undertaking will unlock immense potential for trade and contribute to the overall economic development of the country.