Mumbai commuters witnessed a long-awaited relief as the Akurli Bridge on the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Kandivli East was finally opened to traffic. The bridge, a project undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), took five years to complete. However, the relief was short-lived as heavy rain overnight caused the emergence of potholes on the newly constructed stretch, making it hazardous for vehicles.
The Akurli Bridge, situated on a notorious blind spot along the WEH, has been one of the city’s most dangerous accident zones. Over the years, the poor road design, including uneven road levels, improperly placed dividers, and paver blocks, led to several accidents. Between six to seven lives were lost, and over 20 people were injured due to accidents at this spot. In response to these concerns, the MMRDA initiated a series of safety improvements across the city’s accident-prone areas, including the construction of this bridge.
Commuters, who have been suffering from prolonged traffic jams stretching 3 to 4 kilometres on the southbound side of the WEH up to Jogeshwari and Goregaon, had anticipated significant relief from congestion once the Akurli Bridge was operational. However, the emergence of multiple potholes, just hours after the bridge’s inauguration, has dampened their hopes. A site visit on Wednesday revealed several new potholes, raising concerns about the safety and durability of the infrastructure. In 2016-17, the MMRDA had identified approximately 70 blind spots across Mumbai, prioritizing their rectification to enhance road safety. The Akurli Bridge project began in 2019 following numerous complaints of accidents and the declaration of the old bridge as one of the most perilous stretches on the highway.
In 2021, the MMRDA successfully levelled the road and resolved the first blind spot on the northbound side. However, completing the new bridge came with challenges due to the presence of an underground two-lane subway and a gas pipeline. The MMRDA collaborated with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s Public Works Department and a gas supply company to navigate these complexities and ensure a permanent solution. Despite the completion of the Akurli Bridge, its immediate deterioration following heavy rainfall has raised questions about the quality of construction. The MMRDA had installed warning signs at the site, cautioning motorists about the ‘accident-prone spot ahead’ and urging them to ‘go slow’. However, the quick formation of potholes suggests that further interventions are needed to make the bridge safe for daily use.
