Thane Bhayanderpada Flyover Opens as Kerala Faces Road Quality Concerns
Thane’s traffic situation received a major boost this week with the inauguration of the Bhayanderpada flyover, a 601-metre elevated corridor designed to ease congestion on the busy Ghodbunder Road.
The flyover, inaugurated by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on May 14, is expected to cut daily travel time by up to 30 minutes for commuters heading to and from Mumbai. Part of a multi-layered traffic network that includes Metro Lines 4 and 4A, the new flyover has been hailed as a model of integrated transport. Designed to carry over 73,000 vehicles a day, it aims to streamline traffic flow, reduce emissions, and improve road safety through a combination of elevated carriageways and a dedicated pedestrian underpass. While Thane celebrates its infrastructure leap, Kerala is grappling with setbacks in its highway development. BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar confirmed that 40 highway projects worth ₹65,000 crore are underway in the state. However, the collapse of under-construction sections of NH66 at three locations has sparked concern over construction quality.
Chandrasekhar said he had spoken to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari about the matter. “He assured me that a permanent solution will be implemented, and that any lapses in quality or safety will not be tolerated,” the BJP leader said. Gadkari has also invited Chandrasekhar to Delhi for further discussions on the issue. Despite Kerala having sent only one BJP MP to Parliament, Chandrasekhar credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving the state’s infrastructure growth. “Whether it’s the Vizhinjam Port, railways, or highways, all key projects in Kerala are thanks to Modi. The state government has no role in these developments,” he claimed. He also acknowledged the inclusion of Chirayinkeezhu and Vadakara railway stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme, aimed at modernising key rail infrastructure.
The contrasting developments in Thane and Kerala underline both the progress and the persistent challenges in India’s infrastructure push. As Mumbai’s satellite city celebrates smoother travel, Kerala looks to fix critical lapses and restore public confidence in its massive road expansion plans.
