Mumbai’s eastern suburbs are bracing for major traffic disruptions this weekend as the Bhandup–Sonapur Junction, a critical connector on Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road, will remain closed for vehicular movement due to the ongoing Mumbai Metro Line 4 construction. The temporary closure, scheduled for November 1 and 2, will impact commuters travelling between Bhandup, Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Thane, as large machinery and steel components are installed at the site.
According to officials from the Mumbai Traffic Police, the shutdown is necessary for the safe erection of a 56-metre-long steel span that forms part of the elevated Metro 4 (Green Line) infrastructure. The corridor, which will eventually connect Wadala to Kasarvadavali, aims to reduce vehicular congestion along one of Mumbai’s busiest arterial stretches once operational. During the closure, all private and commercial vehicles will be prohibited from entering the junction, except for essential services such as ambulances and police patrols. Officials confirmed that multiple cranes and trailers carrying heavy materials will be stationed at the site, necessitating a complete halt to civilian traffic during the installation process.
To ease congestion, the traffic department has announced a 2.5-kilometre diversion route for vehicles from Powai, Thane, and Kalyan entering Mumbai through LBS Road. Traffic from Mulund (West) will be redirected via the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), while movement from Bhandup West towards Mulund East and West will be restricted near Kalpana Chawla Marg. Even after the weekend work concludes, partial restrictions will continue through December 31, with one lane of LBS Road at the GMLR (Bhandup–Sonapur) Junction expected to remain closed to facilitate further Metro-related activities. Officials anticipate heavy congestion during morning and evening peak hours, particularly between 7 am and 10 am and 5 pm and 8 pm.
A senior traffic official stated that detailed planning had been undertaken to mitigate the impact of the closure. “This temporary inconvenience is unavoidable but essential for the safe progress of the Metro 4 project. The diversions have been planned to ensure minimal disruption for commuters,” the official said. However, daily commuters and transport experts have urged the civic authorities and traffic police to coordinate more effectively and provide clear signages on diversion routes to prevent confusion and bottlenecks. Experts also emphasised the importance of such infrastructure projects being executed within the stipulated timeline, given their role in transitioning Mumbai toward a cleaner, low-carbon urban mobility future.
While residents may face short-term inconvenience, the Metro 4 line — designed to move thousands of passengers daily — is expected to significantly decongest Mumbai’s road network, reduce vehicular emissions, and enhance the city’s public transport capacity once operational.
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