The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will commence construction next month on the long-awaited Bhandup rail overbridge, a ₹129.43 crore project aimed at easing chronic congestion and improving east–west connectivity in one of the city’s most densely populated suburbs.
The bridge will create a crucial link between LBS Marg and Veer Savarkar Marg near Bhandup railway station, offering commuters an alternative to the overburdened Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and Andheri–Goregaon Link Road (AGLR). Officials confirmed that the project, once completed, will provide significant relief to daily travellers who often face severe traffic snarls on the existing routes. Residents have long demanded a permanent connector since the closure of an old railway crossing in the early 2000s. The new bridge, to be built just 100 metres away from the defunct level crossing, is expected to bridge this gap and drastically cut commuting time for those moving between the eastern and western neighbourhoods of Bhandup.
According to civic engineers, preliminary work is set to begin on the western side of the railway station, with pier foundations to be laid near Menon College. However, the eastern stretch of the project is still awaiting final clearances related to encroachments, tree removal, and partial acquisition of salt pan land. Officials stated that these challenges are being addressed in coordination with relevant departments to avoid delays. Structurally, the bridge will span 530 metres, including an 89-metre stretch over the railway tracks. It will extend 233.5 metres on the east and 207.3 metres on the west, and is designed to carry three lanes of traffic. The width will vary from 11.5 metres along BMC-maintained sections to 15.6 metres over the railway portion. In total, 14 spans will be constructed—seven on the eastern side, five on the western, and two directly above the tracks.
The civic administration has set an ambitious timeline of 18 months, targeting mid-2027 for completion. Once operational, the bridge will integrate with the recently opened Vikhroli bridge, providing multiple relief corridors for commuters and reducing dependency on JVLR and AGLR. Urban transport experts note that while the project is a significant investment in connectivity, timely execution will be critical to ensuring the benefits are realised. They emphasise that projects of this scale should also integrate climate-resilient design to withstand flooding and support sustainable urban mobility.
For Bhandup’s residents, who have endured decades of detours and congestion, the bridge is more than just infrastructure—it represents long-awaited relief and a promise of smoother travel across the city’s busy east–west corridors.
Also Read : Maharashtra To Establish 75 Reading Libraries At MSRTC Terminals Marking PM Modi 75th Birthday
