The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing a mounting financial burden as its ambitious plan to construct two flyovers connected to the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) continues to escalate in cost. The project, which was originally estimated to cost Rs 918 crore, is now poised to exceed this figure due to the potential addition of a new flyover arm leading to Maharashtra Nagar.
The proposed flyover system, consisting of Arm-1 and Arm-2, aims to improve traffic flow on the Sion-Panvel Highway and provide better connectivity to Vashi. However, the addition of a third arm, contingent upon railway permissions, is likely to significantly increase the project’s overall cost. This development comes just three years after the GMLR, which cost over Rs 500 crore, was opened to the public. Critics argue that the need for additional flyovers so soon after the completion of the GMLR highlights a lack of foresight in the initial planning process.
A government official in the BMC, expressed disappointment with the timing of the new proposal, suggesting that it could have been anticipated and incorporated into the original GMLR design. Residents of the area have also voiced concerns about the ongoing traffic congestion on the GMLR, despite its recent completion. An official of the New Sangam Welfare Society NGO in Govandi, noted that heavy vehicles continue to use the road below the flyover, particularly during late-night hours, causing regular traffic jams at key intersections. The BMC’s decision to expand the flyover project comes at a time when the city is grappling with a range of infrastructure challenges, including aging roads, inadequate public transportation, and rising housing costs. As the project’s costs continue to soar, it is imperative that the BMC carefully evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks before proceeding with further development.
