Freeway boost: Shrine razing gets citizen nod

MUMBAI: The Eastern Freeway Project (EFP) got a shot in the arm with citizens agreeing to the demolition of a temple and a Buddha Vihar, thereby paving the way for the Anik-Panjarpol Link Road, one of the most crucial parts of the ambitious EFP.
The demolition work started on Saturday. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has already built a temple and a vihar about 100 m from the original structures.
“We have been able to successfully shift religious structures with the consent of the communities,” said additional metropolitan commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
Nearly 300 more families affected by the Anik-Panjarpol Link Road project will soon be shifted to resettlement colonies in Vashi, Borla and Tata Nagar.
“Several meetings have been held with the affected families and we are sure they will cooperate with us,” said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, MMRDA.