Overview
- The connector, which opened Thursday, lets traffic from Palm Beach Road merge directly onto the Sion–Panvel Highway at Vashi Sector 17.
- Motorists no longer need the Sanpada detour, a change officials say will save 10 to 15 minutes and reduce fuel use during peak trips toward Panvel and Pune.
- The span measures 290 metres in length and 6.5 metres in width, and NMMC reports a project cost of Rs 18.32 crore.
- Engineers shifted to a pier-supported design over a storm-water drain to keep tidal water flowing, with IIT Bombay proof-checking the revised plan for safety and compliance.
- Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik led the inauguration with mayor Sujata Patil and deputy mayor Dasharath Bhagat, and the first ride honored disabled resident Vaibhav Thakur.