The prolonged extension work of the Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover in Goregaon has raised growing scepticism among commuters, with many doubting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) ability to meet its November 2025 deadline. The 750-metre extension, which aims to ease congestion at three critical junctions in the western suburbs, has been plagued by continuous delays since its approval in 2018.
With construction progressing at a sluggish pace, daily travellers remain unconvinced that the ambitious timeline set by civic authorities will be met, despite assurances from officials that nearly 70% of the work is complete. Originally conceptualised as a crucial east-west connector, the flyover’s extension is expected to enhance accessibility for residents of Lokhandwala, Oshiwara, Versova, Jogeshwari, and Goregaon by providing direct access to the Western Express Highway (WEH). However, since its inception, the project has faced multiple setbacks, from initial design concerns to bureaucratic hurdles. The BMC cited the necessity of relocating underground utilities and securing approvals from various authorities as primary reasons for the persistent delays. Additionally, the extension passes over two road-level bridges spanning the Walbut and Oshiwara rivers, further complicating construction efforts.
The bridge over the Oshiwara River, declared structurally weak in 2018, had to be rebuilt entirely, leading to additional time-consuming phases of work. Despite claims that construction activities have resumed at full capacity, on-ground observations paint a different picture. Commuters who frequent the Ram Mandir Junction, a key intersection along the project’s route, have reported minimal visible progress, with work remaining sporadic even post-pandemic. The slow movement of the project has drawn criticism from local citizens, who argue that even minor infrastructure components, such as the 50-metre Oshiwara bridge, have taken years to complete. A growing number of residents and daily commuters are beginning to view the November 2025 deadline as unrealistic, especially given past instances of extended project timelines across Mumbai’s infrastructure landscape.
The BMC, however, maintains that the upcoming phase of construction, which includes the launch of girders, will proceed as planned in April following approval from the city’s traffic police. Officials insist that once the flyover is operational, it will significantly ease congestion along critical arterial roads, offering seamless connectivity to the proposed Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road. The planned interchange at Millat Nagar near Oshiwara is also expected to reduce travel times for those commuting between the western suburbs and WEH. While this projected benefit offers a glimmer of hope, the immediate reality remains uncertain. With civic agencies struggling to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects within set timelines, commuters continue to bear the brunt of prolonged traffic snarls, exacerbating frustrations over urban mobility in India’s financial capital.
