Bridges Ready, But Ramps Delayed: Mumbai's Connectivity at Crossroads

Mumbai: Mumbai's much-awaited road overbridges remain stuck in a limbo despite significant progress on the railway portions. At least seven critical bridges, designed to improve the city's east-west connectivity, await completion of approach roads. Issues such as land acquisition, encroachments, and utility line relocations continue to hamper progress.

Major Highlights

• Nahur Bridge: Connecting Goregaon-Mulund Link Road and Eastern Express Highway, work on approaches is nearing completion but delays persist in paving and finishing.

  

• Vikhroli Bridge: Crucial for restoring east-west connectivity since a 2011 level crossing shutdown, the bridge is in final phases, with steel plates being laid.

  

• Vidya Vihar Bridge: Promising links between major arterial roads, land acquisition delays have stalled approach construction despite railway work being completed in 2023.

  

• Carnac Bunder Bridge: Near Crawford Market, this project is on track for completion by the year-end, with preparations underway for the second girder launch.

  

• Diva Bridge: Delayed for years due to west-side encroachments, piers lie unused. The busiest pedestrian level crossing remains open, causing disruption.

  

• Charni Road Foot Overbridge: Despite a landing on railway premises, a staircase dismantled by the BMC has yet to be rebuilt, leaving the structure partially functional.

  

• Gokhale Bridge: Ongoing work on approaches is expected to conclude before the monsoons, marking its completion after multiple deadlines.

  

The Big Picture

While the Railways have completed their part, civic delays plague projects. Officials from the BMC and Railways cite ongoing efforts, with deadlines for certain projects set for April and beyond in 2025. The lack of progress has left citizens dealing with daily inconveniences.

A senior railway official expressed frustration: "We face significant disruptions to complete our portion of work, but civic authorities lag on approaches, leaving bridge girders suspended over tracks for months."

What’s Next?

With promises of visible progress in 2025, residents hope for accelerated efforts to resolve the bottlenecks hindering Mumbai’s infrastructure dreams.