The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is navigating a complex engineering conundrum concerning the alignment of CD Barfiwala flyover and Andheri’s Gokhale bridge. After receiving a recommendation from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) to lift four spans of the flyover to merge it with Gokhale bridge, BMC has sought a second opinion from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B). While BMC is inclined towards implementing VJTI’s proposal, it deems it prudent to gather additional insights given the technical intricacies involved.
IIT-Bombay
A BMC official emphasised the need for a second opinion, citing the complexity of the task at hand. The civic body aims to ensure thorough preparedness before embarking on the proposed project, which involves significant structural adjustments. Meanwhile, IIT-B will dispatch a team to assess the site and provide its expert observations, contributing to a comprehensive decision-making process. As BMC progresses with VJTI’s recommendation, it faces procedural hurdles due to the prevailing Model Code of Conduct enforced by the Election Commission (EC). The civic bridges department is drafting a tender for the project, necessitating sanction from the EC for tendering during the election period. The estimated cost of the alignment work is projected at Rs 4 crore for merging one arm and Rs 8 crore for both, underscoring the financial implications of the proposed endeavour. VJTI’s report, submitted on March 19, underscores the structural integrity of both arms of the Barfiwala flyover, advocating for their merger with Gokhale bridge. However, concerns have arisen regarding the timeline for implementation amidst the ongoing election period. While VJTI suggests a 90-day timeline for merging the north arm, BMC’s ability to execute the proposal within this timeframe remains uncertain given regulatory constraints.
The CD Barfiwala bridge, constructed by MSRDC in 2008, serves as a critical transportation link originating from Juhu and connecting the north-south arms of Gokhale bridge. The discrepancy in alignment between the two structures has drawn public criticism, highlighting the importance of resolving the issue promptly to ensure seamless connectivity and safety for commuters.
