The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced the construction of two elevated flyover arms connecting the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) to the Sion Panvel Highway. Valued at ₹1051 crore, this project aims to alleviate the persistent traffic bottleneck at the Maharashtra Nagar T-junction, a critical node for commuters traveling between Ghatkopar, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
The proposed flyover arms, measuring 1.47 km and 1.93 km respectively, will provide direct access from GMLR to the Sion Panvel Highway, bypassing the congested signal at Maharashtra Nagar. This initiative is expected to streamline traffic flow, reduce travel time, and enhance overall commuter experience. The project has garnered attention due to its substantial cost, which exceeds the original ₹732 crore spent on the 2.9 km GMLR flyover completed in 2021. The increased expenditure is attributed to the complex engineering requirements, land acquisition challenges, and the need for environmental clearances, given the project’s proximity to sensitive areas such as wetlands and mangroves.
Despite the project’s potential benefits, it faces scrutiny from various stakeholders. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has raised concerns about the alignment of the proposed flyover arms, suggesting that they may interfere with the future Metro Line 8 corridor connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Additionally, residents have called for a comprehensive structural audit of the existing GMLR flyover, citing observed cracks and damage to crash barriers on the Deonar-bound arm, which they attribute to excavation work by the BMC’s sewerage project department. In response to these concerns, BMC officials have assured that rectification work is underway and that the flyover arms will be temporarily closed to heavy vehicles until the necessary repairs are completed. They have also emphasized the importance of the new flyover arms in decongesting the T-junction and improving connectivity between key urban corridors.
As the project progresses, it will be crucial for the BMC to address the concerns raised by various stakeholders, ensuring that the expansion of the GMLR flyover not only meets the city’s growing infrastructure needs but also adheres to safety and environmental standards.
Also Read: DDA Demolishes 300 Structures in Govindpuri for Housing Project
