In a major infrastructure push, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has kickstarted the long-awaited extension of Palm Beach Road from Ghansoli to Airoli. With all necessary environmental clearances in place, the civic body is set to construct a 3.47-km stretch, including a 1.9-km flyover, to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.
The project, costing approximately Rs 540 crore, will be jointly funded by NMMC and CIDCO. NMMC has already allocated Rs 372 crore for the extension in its 2023-24 budget.
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Initially, CIDCO had planned a 21.12 km road from Belapur to Airoli Sector 10A to connect with Mulund, Thane, and Mumbai. However, after completing 19.20 km from Belapur to Ghansoli, the project stalled due to environmental restrictions on the remaining 2-km stretch through mangroves. To address this, the plan now extends the road to the Airoli-Mulund Creek Bridge, increasing the total extension to 3.47 km.
Environmental clearance was a major challenge, as much of the route passes through mangroves. To minimize ecological impact, NMMC has opted for a 1.9-km bridge over the sensitive area. Work has already commenced, and the project is expected to be completed by September next year.
Once operational, the road will offer an alternative route for motorists traveling towards Airoli and beyond, reducing congestion on the busy Thane-Belapur (TB) Road, particularly at Airoli during peak hours. With connectivity to the Airoli-Mulund Bridge and the upcoming Airoli-Katai route, commuters will have improved access to Kalyan, Badlapur, Ambernath, and Murbad. Additionally, the extension will enhance regional connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport.