THIMMIRI RAVEENDRA: starting data

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{{Short description|Road in Mumbai, India}}
{{Redirect|SEAR|"Special Event Assessment Rating"|National Special Security Event}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox road
|country=IND
|state=Maharashtra
|name = Sahar Elevated Access Road
|map={{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=290|frame-height=200|zoom=14|frame-align=center|type=line|id=Q7399472| stroke-width=3|title=Sahar Elevated Access Road}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes= Sahar Elevated Access Road marked in Red on Mumbai area map
|length_km= 2.2
|direction_a= West
|terminus_a= [[Western Express Highway]]
|junction=
|direction_b= East
|terminus_b= [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]]
|formed=12 February 2014
|history=
|states= [[Maharashtra]]
|cities= [[Mumbai]]
|maint = [[Mumbai International Airport Limited]] (MIAL)
}}

The '''Sahar Elevated Access Road''', abbreviated to '''SEAR''', is a dedicated, elevated, [[Controlled-access highway|express]] [[access road]] in [[Mumbai]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/mumbai-airport-s-new-world-class-terminal/article1-1171631.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111142359/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/mumbai-airport-s-new-world-class-terminal/article1-1171631.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2014 |title=Mumbai airport's new world-class terminal |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2014-01-11 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> that connects the [[Western Express Highway]] (WEH) near Hanuman Nagar junction in [[Vile Parle]], with the [[Courtyard|forecourts]] of Terminal T2 of the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]].<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Sahar-elevated-road-ready-after-delays/articleshow/28532474.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120013047/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-08/mumbai/45990249_1_road-corridor-new-airport-terminal-weh |url-status=live |archive-date=2014-01-20 |title=Sahar elevated road 'ready' after delays |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=2014-01-08 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> The road improves access and travel times between the WEH and the airport.<ref name="indiatimes2">{{cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-09/news/46030345_1_road-corridor-elevated-corridor-sahar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202144620/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-09/news/46030345_1_road-corridor-elevated-corridor-sahar |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2014 |title=Mumbai: Sahar elevated road corridor may open next month |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=2014-01-09 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> The 2.2 km long access road has 4 entry and 2 exit points. The road also includes an underpass for vehicles travelling on the WEH and a pedestrian subway;<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Four-ways-to-a-faster-commute/Article1-1010870.aspx |title=Four ways to a faster commute |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=13 February 2013 |access-date=13 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213154235/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Four-ways-to-a-faster-commute/Article1-1010870.aspx |archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> as well as an underpass, a tunnel, and ramps connecting the highway to the terminal which bypasses the congested roadways below.

The corridor was developed by the [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority]] (MMRDA) under its Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (MUIP). The project cost of {{INRConvert|400.77|c}},<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/sahar-flyover-t2-to-start-operations-from-february-11/ |title=Sahar flyover, T2 to start operations from February 11|publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=2014-02-08 |accessdate=2022-04-18}}</ref> approved by the [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] (JnNURM), was paid by the [[Government of India|Central Government]], the [[Government of Maharashtra]], the MMRDA, and the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Mumbai International Airport Limited]] (MIAL).<ref name="HT"/><ref name="LT"/>

In July 2018, parts of the relatively new road were found damaged with potholes due to poor maintenance and seasonal monsoon rains, resulting in slow traffic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monsoon rains disrupt traffic, schools in India's financial hub of Mumbai |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/202466-monsoon-rains-disrupt-traffic-schools-in-indias-financial-hub-of-mumbai |access-date=9 July 2018 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mumbai rains LIVE UPDATES: Re-exam announced for Mumbai University MSc students |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-rains-weather-flood-death-toll-imd-alert-live-updates-5251753/? |access-date=9 July 2018 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=9 July 2018}}</ref>

== Route description==
[[File:SEAR5.JPG|thumb|View of SEAR]]
[[File:SEAR4.JPG|thumb|View of SEAR]]
[[File:SEAR3.JPG|thumb|View of SEAR]]
[[File:SEAR2.JPG|thumb|Exit from Western Express Highway]]
[[File:SEAR3InsideTunnel.JPG|thumb|SEAR Inside Tunnel View]]
The six-lane, signal-free approach road originates near Hanuman Nagar junction in Vile Parle on the Western Express Highway (WEH), and ends at the [[Courtyard|forecourts]] of Terminal T2 of the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Majaraj International Airport]].<ref name="indiatimes1"/> From the WEH, the road heads east till the elevated section takes it over the Sahar Road. The corridor continues east over the Indian Airlines Project Road till it reaches the current main approach of the International terminal, where the corridor disperses into ramps which lead to the arrival and departure of the Terminal forecourts.

The road is 2.2 km long and has three lanes in each direction.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://freepressjournal.in/rev-up-on-sahar-elevated-road-only-in-feb/ |title=Rev up on Sahar elevated road only in Feb! |newspaper=Free Press Journal |access-date=2014-01-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202095044/http://freepressjournal.in/rev-up-on-sahar-elevated-road-only-in-feb/ |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> On the WEH end, the project comprises {{convert|1050|m|ft}} of elevated road, a {{convert|98|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} tunnel with ramps measuring {{convert|261|m|ft}}, three vehicular underpasses each at {{convert|48|,|22|, and|30|m|ft}}, and {{convert|641|m|ft}} of six-lane at-grade roadway. The plan also includes a {{convert|48|m|ft|adj=on}} pedestrian underpass on the WEH. The road will also have four ramps measuring {{convert|2200|m|ft}} on the airport end.<ref name="LT"/>

The road reduces travel time from the highway to the airport to five minutes from the 30 to 45 minutes it previously took.<ref name="indiatimes2"/><ref name="dnaindia1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-soon-zoom-to-terminal-2-via-elevated-road-1947164 |title=Mumbai: Soon, zoom to Terminal 2 via elevated road |publisher=DNA |date=2014-01-08 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> For smoother traffic flow, two-wheelers and three-wheelers, including bicycles, are prohibited from entering.

==History==
===Background===
Despite the proposed Terminal 2's proximity with Mumbai's arterial [[Western Express Highway]], commuters approaching the terminal had to travel via the congested roads of eastern [[Andheri]] (viz. Sahar Road) before reaching the airport's forecourt.<ref name="indiatimes1"/> Commuters had to cross Sambhaji Nagar, Rajaram Wadi, NAD Colony, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Bamanwada, Sahar Post and Telegraph Colony, GVK Residential Colony and slow-moving traffic on Sahar road to reach the international terminal.<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>

The impending shift of domestic air traffic would also make the situation worse during the daytime and the evening-peak traffic hours. To avoid these traffic bottlenecks, an elevated direct corridor by-passing the crowded [[Chakala]], [[Sahar, Maharashtra|Sahar]] Road, and the Jog flyover areas of Andheri (East) was envisioned.<ref name="LT"/> The elevated road was constructed to provide direct access to the international terminal,<ref name="dnaindia1"/> as well as reduce traffic on the WEH, especially at the Andheri-Kurla road junction.<ref name="indiatimes2"/> The SEAR had a tunnel incorporated into the design; it enables motorists on the WEH to access the SEAR with ease.

===Construction===
The project was commissioned in January 2008,<ref name="HT">{{cite news |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Demolition-of-350-houses-paves-the-way-for-elevated-road-at-Sahar/Article1-776835.aspx |title= Demolition of 350 houses paves the way for elevated road at Sahar |work= [[Hindustan Times]] |date= 2 December 2011 |access-date= 9 September 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111222101300/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Demolition-of-350-houses-paves-the-way-for-elevated-road-at-Sahar/Article1-776835.aspx |archive-date= 22 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="DNA">{{cite news |url= http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_inordinate-delays-same-old-excuses_1216952 |title= Inordinate delays, same old excuses |work= [[Daily News & Analysis]] |date= 27 December 2008 |access-date= 13 September 2012}}</ref> and the original deadline for completing the entire project was January 2010.<ref name="dnaindia1"/>

The corridor was developed by the MMRDA under its Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (MUIP) scheme with [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] (JnNURM) funding. The project was funded by the [[Government of India|Central Government]], the [[Government of Maharashtra|State Government]], the MMRDA, and the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Mumbai International Airport Limited]] (MIAL).<ref name="HT"/><ref name="LT">{{cite web |url= http://www.lntecc.com/homepage/documents/Concord_jan11.pdf|title= Flying in to the Airport forecourt |publisher= ECC Concord |date= January 2011 |access-date=9 September 2012}}</ref> The Sahar Elevated Access Road was constructed jointly by the MMRDA and the MIAL.<ref name="dnaindia2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-elevated-road-widest-on-single-pier-1948393 |title=Mumbai: Elevated road widest on single pier |publisher=DNA |date=2014-01-10 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> The cost of construction for the MMRDA was {{INRConvert|377.59|c}}, higher than the earlier estimated {{INRConvert|287.37|c}}.<ref name="dnaindia1"/> The road was built in two parts: the first was a 1.8 km stretch from the WEH to the Hyatt Regency (on Sahar Airport Road),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbai.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-mumbai-regency/index.jsp?null |title=5-star luxury hotel in Mumbai, India – Hyatt Regency Mumbai |publisher=Mumbai.regency.hyatt.com |access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> and the second was a 1.5 km stretch from the Hyatt Regency to the airport. The first section cost {{INRConvert|3.43|b}} and was built by the MMRDA, while the second cost {{INRConvert|2.27|b}} and was built by MIAL.<ref name="hindustantimes1"/>

The 1,300-metre long elevated road<ref name="dnaindia1"/> consists of 30 spans of {{convert|35|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} precast concrete segments erected using a specially fabricated launching girder and strand jack. The pillars measure {{convert|2.5|x|2.8|m|ft}} at the base. The {{convert|27.6|m|ft|adj=on}} deck superstructure is composed of a {{convert|9|m|ft|adj=mid|-wide}} precast central spine and two {{convert|9.3|m|ft|adj=on}} cantilever wings on either side connected to the central spine by concrete stitching and transverse pre-stressing methods.<ref name="LT"/> The pedestrian, and two and three-wheeler underpasses on the Western Express Highway were constructed with pre-cast box cells. The approaches on either sides were built with reinforced earth walls.<ref name="LT"/> The pedestrian and vehicular underpass on Western Express Highway in Vile Parle is 45 metres long, and the MIAL underpass on Justice MC Chhagla Road is 48 metres long.<ref name="dnaindia1"/> A {{convert|98.5|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} tunnel was constructed at the junction of the corridor with the WEH using the cut and cover method with concrete contiguous piles.<ref name="LT"/>

The Sahar Elevated Access Road and the new terminal at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|BOM]] opened on 12 February 2014.<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>

====Impediments====
[[File:MumbaiAirportT2.JPG|thumb|Mumbai Airport's new Terminal 2 (T2) Arrivals section]]
Carrying out construction activities on one of Mumbai's busiest roads, with minimum interference to traffic, was a major challenge. There was no opportunity for diversion of traffic as the deck-width of the bridge was as wide as the road-width below. Frequent VIP movements accessing the airport further compounded the problem. Also, the corridor passes by the Post & Telegraph colony<ref name="DNA"/> and a few 5-star hotels which were apprehensive about the project. The issues were sorted through negotiations and environmentally friendly construction practices.

The work on the tunnel at the Western Express Highway end of the corridor was carried out only at night because the location lies within the landing and taking off ''funnel'' of the adjacent airport runway. Work at the site was halted several times by the airport authorities due to emergency landings on the runway.<ref name="ET">{{cite news |url= http://www.mumbaimirror.com/printarticle.aspx?contentid=201206032012060309583981f8d765e9 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130129072637/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/printarticle.aspx?contentid=201206032012060309583981f8d765e9 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 January 2013 |title= A leap year |work= [[Mumbai Mirror]] |date= 3 June 2012 |access-date= 13 September 2012 }}</ref> Space constraints at the casting yard were dealt with by designing the pre-cast and cantilever segments so they could be stacked in two piers. The pedestrian and vehicular underpasses on the WEH were constructed in planned phases to minimize disturbance to traffic, allowing completion of the project on time.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sahar Elevated Access Road}}

{{Mumbai topics}}

[[Category:Roads in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Expressways in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 2014]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Andheri]]

Sahar Elevated Access Road - Revision history

THIMMIRI RAVEENDRA: starting data