by Deepak Sawant 
The distance between Kharghar and Taloja may be just a few kilometers, but for thousands of daily commuters, it has turned into a frustrating journey. What was meant to be a signal-free, smooth Flyover connecting the two areas has now become a never-ending project.
The Beginning of the Project
Work on the Kharghar–Taloja Flyover started back in 2018. The idea was simple: with new residential developments like the CIDCO Lottery Buildings in Taloja and an expected population rise, traffic congestion would also increase.
The flyover was planned to:
- Reduce travel time
- Provide smoother connectivity
- Make daily commutes easier
In theory, this small bridge should have been a quick-win project. In reality, it remains incomplete even in July 2025 — seven years later.
The Ground Reality
Earlier, traveling from Taloja to Kharghar took 15–20 minutes. Today, the same journey takes 40–50 minutes due to traffic jams. The situation impacts not just office commuters but also auto drivers, school buses, ambulances, and delivery services.
The irony? Other large-scale projects in Navi Mumbai — such as parts of the Navi Mumbai Metro and key highway upgrades — have made visible progress. This relatively small bridge, however, remains stuck.
Public Frustration
Residents are questioning the delays:
- Has the work stopped or been abandoned?
- Why is there no visible action against the contractor or responsible officials?
- Why are new deadlines announced during elections, but little progress happens afterward?
The official cost of the project is ₹96 crore 46 lakh, and the contract was awarded to J.M. Mhatre Infra Pvt. Ltd.. Yet the bridge stands half-built — a symbol of incomplete promises.
Current Construction Status
According to the development plan, the flyover should start at CIDCO Lottery Buildings in Taloja and end near Sector 26, Kharghar. But as of now:
- The bridge starts at Taloja but stops after just 800–850 meters.
- Around 1–1.5 km of construction is still pending.
- The completed section only crosses the Panvel–Diva railway line and the Panvel–Mumbra Highway, saving a few minutes at the railway crossing — but not solving the bigger traffic issue.
At the Kharghar end, no active work is visible. Large patches of mangroves remain untouched in the planned construction zone.
How Commuters Are Managing
Right now, commuters can use the partially completed flyover, but after crossing it they still have to:
- Join the Panvel–Mumbra Highway via the R.F. Camp signal, or
- Take the Roadpali route
Either way, time is still wasted due to traffic.
Will It Be Completed Soon?
Looking at the current pace, it is unlikely the flyover will be completed in the next six months. Residents are skeptical about further delays unless there is urgent intervention and clear accountability.
Impact on Real Estate
Taloja’s property prices have already risen in recent years, largely due to infrastructure developments in Navi Mumbai. Once this flyover is completed — along with other upcoming projects like the VKC–2 and the Kharghar–T-Pe link road — connectivity between Kharghar and Taloja will improve drastically. This is expected to push real estate prices even higher.
The Bigger Question
Why does a small, 2–3 km road project take longer than massive infrastructure developments like airports or metro lines? Is it a lack of priority? Is it bureaucratic delay? Or is it simply poor planning?
For now, the half-built flyover stands as a daily reminder for thousands of commuters — of time lost, fuel wasted, and promises still waiting to be fulfilled.
If completed, the Kharghar–Taloja Flyover could be a game-changer for local travel. But until then, it remains another example of how small infrastructure delays can create big problems for everyday life.
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