The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is making significant strides towards alleviating the chronic traffic congestion in Mumbai’s eastern suburb of Ghatkopar. Aiming to streamline the vehicular flow between the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road, the BMC is constructing a state-of-the-art cable-stayed road-over bridge (ROB). This ambitious project, budgeted at Rs 550 crore, was commissioned to Maha Rail in 2022 and promises to be a game-changer for the area’s commuters.
Ghatkopar has long grappled with severe traffic bottlenecks, exacerbated by the ageing 77-year-old ROB that currently serves as the sole link between LBS Road and the EEH. The existing structure’s inability to accommodate heavy traffic loads has perpetuated gridlock, particularly during peak hours. The new bridge, therefore, is a vital infrastructural development aimed at mitigating these issues. The new ROB, designed to be 38 metres wide, will feature six lanes designated for vehicular movement, including service roads, footpaths, and emergency lanes. In an effort to merge functionality with aesthetics, the bridge will be uniquely illuminated, adding a distinctive visual appeal to the cityscape.
Constructed in two phases, the ROB will intersect the metro lines scheduled to be operational by the project’s fourth phase. Moreover, the bridge will span over existing railway tracks, thereby facilitating smooth east-west traffic flow. As of now, the project has achieved a 30 per cent completion rate, with the BMC targeting a completion date towards the end of 2025 or early 2026.
A senior official from the BMC’s bridges department highlighted the project’s strategic advantages, noting, “This bridge will offer direct connectivity to the EEH for east-bound vehicles, significantly easing congestion. Additionally, the direct access to metro stations will greatly benefit Mumbai’s daily commuters.”
The ROB project stands as a testament to the BMC’s commitment to enhancing urban infrastructure and improving the daily commute for thousands of Mumbai residents. By addressing one of the city’s most congested intersections, this development is poised to deliver long-term benefits, promoting smoother traffic flow and improved connectivity in Ghatkopar.
As the construction progresses, the anticipation among residents and commuters continues to build, with the promise of a modern, efficient, and visually appealing bridge set to transform the traffic dynamics of this bustling suburb.
