There’s good news for motorists frequently stuck in traffic near Katai Naka in Thane. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is constructing the elevated road connecting Katai Naka to NH-4, has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking forest clearance.

The elevated corridor, spanning 6.71 km, aims to improve connectivity between Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ambernath, and Badlapur. MMRDA has already awarded the construction contract to Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. at a cost of R1982 crore. The six-lane (3+3) elevated road is expected to ease congestion and boost regional development significantly.

According to MMRDA sources, the forest clearance proposal was recently submitted to the ministry. The project will require the diversion of approximately 0.8325 hectares of mangrove land for the construction of a link road connecting NH-4 (Mumbai–Pune highway) to Katai Junction in Thane district.