The Thane Traffic Department has announced ten days of traffic restrictions on the Kalyan East–West bridge, a key connector within the rapidly growing satellite city, as authorities begin essential repair and strengthening works. The restrictions will remain in effect from 25 November to 4 December, impacting thousands of daily commuters who rely on the corridor for routine travel, including access to workplaces, markets, and public transport links.
Officials said the maintenance work had become unavoidable due to structural stress observed over recent months. According to a senior traffic official, the bridge carries a significantly higher volume of vehicles than originally designed, reflecting the area’s fast-paced urban expansion. The official added that timely intervention is critical for public safety and long-term resilience, especially as cities like Kalyan move toward safer, more sustainable mobility systems. Under the new advisory, vehicles approaching the bridge from Kalyan East will be barred from using the primary access route. Those coming from Kalyan West will be redirected through designated internal roads connecting to Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. Additionally, vehicles entering the city from external routes have been instructed to rely on alternative highways and connector roads identified in the traffic plan. Emergency response units—including ambulances, fire services, and police vehicles—will continue to have uninterrupted access.
Local traders said the diversions are likely to increase morning congestion in the surrounding areas, particularly near commercial pockets that typically experience high pedestrian movement. However, several also acknowledged that the bridge’s maintenance is overdue and crucial for preventing larger disruptions in the future. Commuters echoed similar concerns, noting that while delays are inevitable, long-term safety must take precedence. Urban mobility experts note that infrastructure maintenance often becomes more challenging in rapidly densifying cities, where transport corridors serve far more residents than planners originally anticipated. They argue that continued investment in structural upkeep, intelligent traffic management, and multimodal travel options is essential for building climate-resilient and inclusive urban systems.
Authorities have urged citizens to plan additional travel time during the restriction period and use public transport where possible to reduce peak-hour congestion. Traffic teams will be deployed along diversion points to monitor movement and ease bottlenecks. The temporary restrictions, officials emphasised, are part of a broader commitment to ensuring the structural health of key mobility corridors. Once completed, the upgraded bridge is expected to enhance overall safety, support smoother cross-city connectivity, and better accommodate the evolving mobility needs of Kalyan’s residents. In the long term, such interventions are seen as vital for creating more sustainable, efficient, and equitable transport networks across the wider Thane region.
Thane Announces Ten-Day Traffic Diversions As Kalyan East–West Bridge Undergoes Repairs
