Motorists in Mumbai’s Andheri East are facing extended travel disruptions as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Traffic Police implement road closures for infrastructure upgrades. The stretch from Marol Maroshi Road’s Lok Bharati Junction to Marol Naka, near the Radisson Blu Hotel and Vijayanagar Bridge, will remain inaccessible to all vehicles until May 31, 2026. The closure is necessary to facilitate road concretisation, repair work, and the construction of stormwater drains to improve urban drainage and reduce seasonal flooding.
According to a senior traffic official, an alternative route has been designated to maintain connectivity. Vehicles can divert via a left turn at Lok Bharati Junction and then proceed along Makhwana Road to reach Marol Naka. While the measure is expected to ease local congestion during construction, city planners note that such interventions can ripple across the western suburbs, affecting commuting times, public transport schedules, and last-mile connectivity. In a parallel development, the entire Jagannath Bhatankar Road will remain closed to vehicular movement for approximately three months, from February 14 until May 2026. The restriction is tied to pole construction work for the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector Bridge, a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing east–west connectivity in South Mumbai. Traffic from Senapati Bapat Marg southbound is being rerouted via Wadacha Naka, N.M. Joshi Marg, and Dhanmill Naka to bypass the closed segment, according to municipal notifications.
Urban transport analysts emphasise that such temporary closures, while disruptive in the short term, are essential for long-term traffic resilience and flood mitigation. Andheri East, a high-density residential and commercial zone, experiences chronic congestion during peak hours. The planned improvements, including the construction of reinforced drains and upgraded road surfaces, are expected to reduce waterlogging during the monsoon and improve vehicle flow across the region. However, experts warn that the success of these measures depends on effective traffic management, timely completion, and adequate public communication. Coordinated signage, GPS updates, and alternate route guidance are critical to prevent bottlenecks from spilling into surrounding arterial roads, particularly during peak commuting periods.
For residents and commuters, these projects highlight the balancing act municipal authorities face between immediate disruptions and long-term urban resilience. With Mumbai’s infrastructure under pressure from population growth, vehicle density, and monsoon-related hazards, such targeted interventions are increasingly necessary. Officials stress that while short-term inconvenience is inevitable, these projects form part of a broader strategy to create a safer, more reliable, and climate-resilient urban transport network in Mumbai.
Mumbai Announces Andheri East Road Closure Diversions
