Mumbai: In a recent development concerning one of the city’s key infrastructure projects, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has extended the deadline for the completion of the Gokhale Bridge in Andheri to April 30, 2025. This extension follows the recent partial launch of the second girder on September 9, 2024, which was initially moved into place on September 5.
According to BMC officials, the second girder was successfully slid 86 metres towards the western side of Andheri station. The next phase of the project involves lowering the metal beams by eight metres to align them with the approach roads. Once this alignment is achieved, the remaining work, including the construction of approach roads, will proceed. The Gokhale Bridge, which is intended to improve connectivity between Andheri East and West, saw one side inaugurated on February 26, 2024.
This opening came 15 months after construction commenced, leaving the second side of the bridge eagerly awaited by local commuters. Earlier this month, the BMC managed to advance the girder by 25 metres, with the remaining 71 metres pending completion. The delay was attributed to the need for a railway block, as the girder had to pass above active railway tracks, necessitating precautionary measures. With the new deadline set for April 30, 2025, the BMC anticipates completing the railway overbridge section of the flyover by mid-November 2024. Additionally, the approach road construction within municipal limits is also scheduled for completion by the end of April 2025.
The operation to relocate the southern iron girder, which began at 10 pm on September 4, 2024, and concluded at 5 am on September 5, 2024, was a critical milestone in the bridge’s construction process. The extended timeline reflects the complexities involved in modern urban infrastructure projects, particularly those intersecting with existing transport networks. The BMC’s commitment to ensuring safety and precision in the bridge’s construction underscores their dedication to enhancing Mumbai’s transportation infrastructure.
