Ulhasnagar: After nearly 11 years, the Bombay High Court has cleared a major hurdle in the widening of the Kalyan-Ambernath road, paving the way for completion of stretches that remained incomplete due to a dispute involving 15 affected shopkeepers in Ulhasnagar.The 100-foot road widening at a project cost of Rs 68 crore was undertaken in 2015 by then UMC commissioner Manohar Hire, affecting more than 850 shops and houses, either partially or fully. While partially affected shopkeepers reconstructed multi-storey structures on their properties, the civic body had resolved to provide 200 sq ft alternative shops at the Indira Gandhi Vegetable Market in Camp 3 to those fully affected.However, 15 shopkeepers approached the court, preventing demolition and leaving several stretches of the road incomplete, causing inconvenience to commuters.As per the HC order, shopkeepers with valid sanad documents will be eligible for TDR, while those without sanad will be provided 200 sq ft alternative shops by the civic body. They have been directed to hand over their premises within seven days, clearing the way for demolition and widening work.BJP MLA Kumar Ailani and BJP’s district president Rajesh Vadhrya had pursued the issue with the affected shopkeepers and civic officials.The Rs 68-crore PWD road widening project includes concrete drains, a divider and tree plantation. Ailani said the widening would also facilitate the proposed Metro 5A project.
